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New audit finds MARTA overcharged city by millions for expanded bus, train services

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New audit finds MARTA overcharged city by millions for expanded bus, train services


Atlanta city leaders say MARTA owes taxpayers millions of dollars after an audit found that the transit agency may have been overcharging for services under the city’s “More MARTA” program.  

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Eight years after residents voted yes to an expanded bus and train services, the independent audit revealed upwards of $70 million in discrepancies over money spent and the actual cost of services. 

“The suspicions have been there…it’s disappointing that the suspicions have been validated,” Atlanta City Councilman Michael Bond told FOX 5.  

Atlanta City Council President Doug Shipman says he and other council members sounded the alarm on program spending about a year and a half ago. 

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“The auditors found that certain years, the auditors couldn’t find how MARTA made the calculations for the service deliveries,” he explained.  

The findings released to the public on Monday by an independent firm said MARTA overcharged for services between 2020 and 2022.  

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The transit agency admitted to errors in those years totaling a little over $20 million.  

“The calculations that they made were overestimates,” Shipman said.  

MARTA officials sent a letter in response to recommendations auditors made for better record keeping and communication —agreeing with most—but denying the findings from 2017-2019 that showed a $40 million gap in services. 

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In a statement to FOX 5, a MARTA spokesperson said:  

“Mauldin & Jenkins’ calculations are wrong. They used a flawed methodology by applying a COVID-based formula to reverse engineer what they believe should have been charged for bus service in 2017, 2018 and 2019, resulting in false calculations. MARTA charged for the cost of actual bus service during those years and the City officials then in charge were aware of the costs, as the minutes of monthly meetings prove. 

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“MARTA informed the City and Mauldin & Jenkins of their flawed methodology and is disappointed that our responses to the audit which were provided to both parties were not included or referenced.” 

Bond says his concern is the public’s perception of trust. 

“We went out and took a message to voters that if they supported the referendum, the money would be spent 100% on what they absolutely wanted,” Bond stated.  

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That statement from MARTA went on to say: “Despite these errors, MARTA will continue to work in good faith with the city to improve the IGA and strengthen the overall success of the More MARTA Atlanta Program.” 

The next step is a meeting between MARTA officials and Mayor Andre Dickens to get on the same page. 



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Atlanta, GA

Braves News: Season reviews, Rickey Henderson, hot stove, more

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Braves News: Season reviews, Rickey Henderson, hot stove, more


The offseason continues to move on as the Braves stay quiet for now. Today was the flurry of first base movement, which fortunately didn’t impact the Braves, who have no opening at first base or designated hitter. It is hard not to get antsy watching players move all over the place in the offseason where the Braves opened up a bunch of money to do something but have yet to do anything of note. I do maintain that something (probably multiple things) of note will happen, but it is frustrating to see options dwindle and players move. All of that said, my preference coming into the offseason was signing Ha-Seong Kim, a viable starter, and a viable outfielder. I have begun to suspect that a trade is going to be the pathway to at least one of those holes and Kim is still out there. Time will tell and all we can do is try to remain patient. Plenty of time remains before Spring Training and the season begin.

Braves News

Demetrius reviewed Austin Riley’s rollercoaster of a 2024 season, that featured underperformance, quality production, and injury at various times.

Gaurav took a look at prospect Mitch Farris’ impressive 2024 season, as the 13th round pick of the Braves’ 2023 draft.

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MLB News

Baseball icon and Hall-of-Famer Rickey Henderson died of pneumonia on Saturday at the age of 65.

Cleveland traded first baseman Josh Naylor to the D-Backs for pitcher Slade Cecconi and a competitive balance round B pick.

The Guardians signed Carlos Santana, just after dumping a different first baseman in Naylor to Arizona.

Negotiations between the Dodgers and Teoscar Hernandez do not appear to be moving and the Dodgers are reportedly looking into alternatives.

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The Yankees signed former MVP Paul Goldschmidt to a one year deal worth $12.5 million to fill their hole at first base.



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Atlanta, GA

Man shot, robbed in Atlanta on his way to work says he still has nightmares about it

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Man shot, robbed in Atlanta on his way to work says he still has nightmares about it


FOX 5 Atlanta heard from the man who was shot when robbers took his electric bike and backpack. It happened early Monday morning near Hiawassee Drive in Southwest Atlanta, and police say the suspects haven’t been caught.

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“I have nightmares and stuff like that. I can’t sleep,” Renard Sullivan said.

Sullivan said he is still trying to figure out how to move forward after he was shot and robbed while heading to work.

“All of a sudden, out of nowhere, the car came up behind me just saying, ‘Stop. Give me everything you want,’” Sullivan explained.

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Just before 6 a.m. Monday morning, two masked men in a sedan approached Sullivan and took his electric bike and backpack, according to Atlanta police. Afterward, Sullivan said one of the men shot him in his leg.

“It’s like I looked down, and I got shot. Then, I called 911,” he explained.

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Sullivan said the route he took on Monday was a common way for him to get to work, and he doesn’t know who could be behind this.

“I don’t mess with nobody. I just go and do what I got to do. Work, you know what I’m saying? Do a little work out there at the gas station,” he said.

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Sullivan’s siblings said the electric bike was his main form of transportation. This was also not the first time something like this has happened to him. Sullivan said someone tried to take his e-bike from him a few months ago before his son intervened.

Atlanta police have not yet named any suspects nor have they announced arrests in Sullivan’s case. He said he wants the men who did this behind bars.

“Get them off the street, so they don’t do it to nobody else,” Sullivan said.

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Sullivan’s family has started a GoFundMe campaign to help him get back on his feet.

The Source: FOX 5 Atlanta reporter Kim Leoffler spoke to Renard Sullivan for this article which follows up on a previous FOX 5 Atlanta report.

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How to Watch Michael Penix Jr.’s First Start in Falcons vs. Giants

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How to Watch Michael Penix Jr.’s First Start in Falcons vs. Giants


The future is now for the Atlanta Falcons (7-7), who will start first-round rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. under center in Sunday’s game against the New York Giants (2-12).

Atlanta benched veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins on Tuesday evening, citing turnovers and decision making. So, in steps Penix, the No. 8 overall pick in April’s draft who’s played in two games — both blowout loss — and gone 3-for-5 passing for 38 yards. Cousins will be the team’s backup.

“We’ve been digging as much as we can in order to make things work and try to get things going,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said Wednesday. “We wanted to play better at quarterback, and we felt like we got a chance to play a little bit better.

“And if we can go out there and play better at quarterback, who knows what can happen?”

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The Falcons are one game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the NFC South lead with three games remaining, and Atlanta owns the tiebreaker. The Giants, meanwhile, are trudging through a dismal season and will be starting Drew Lock at quarterback with hopes of snapping a nine-game losing streak.

Here’s what to know before the Falcons face the Giants at 1 p.m. Sunday inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The game will be broadcast live on FOX, with Kevin Kugler handling play-by-play duties alongside analyst Daryl Johnston. Laura Okmin will be the sideline reporter.

On the radio, Wes Durham and Dave Archer will have the call on 92.9TheGame.

The Falcons ruled out rookie receiver Casey Washington due to a concussion, marking the third consecutive game he’s missed. Receiver KhaDarel Hodge (ribs) and outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter (groin) are questionable.

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New York will be without three players: linebacker Patrick Johnson (knee), linebacker Bobby Okereke (back) and offensive lineman Aaron Stinnie (concussion). Cornerback Greg Stroman (shoulder/shin) is doubtful and did not practice this week.

The Giants have players questionable, headlined by outside linebacker Brian Burns (ankle/neck), who didn’t practice Wednesday and Thursday and was limited Friday. The other four are Deonte Banks (ribs), running back Tyrone Tracy (ankle) and a pair of week-long full participants in offensive lineman Austin Schlottmann (fibula) and inside linebacker Dyontae Johnson (ankle).

The Falcons are 8.5-point favorites and have a 63.4% chance of victory, according to ESPN, which puts the over/under at 42.5 points. Atlanta’s money line is set at -450.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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The Falcons lead the all-time series 14-12 and have won each of the past three meetings. Atlanta has won four of the last five games dating back to the 2012 regular season, a span that followed New York winning four consecutive contests from 2006 through the 2011 postseason.

The two teams last played in Week 3 of the 2021 season, during which the Falcons won 20-17 on a last-second field goal by kicker Younghoe Koo.



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