ATLANTA – Atlanta’s Inspector General warns legislation introduced this week will gut her office and turn the clock back on attempts to weed out corruption, fraud and misconduct at City Hall.

The independent watchdog agency has come under fire by city employees for alleged tactics and procedures. 

Even Mayor Andre Dickens’s office has found itself at odds with the IG.

The legislation is sponsored by longtime Council member Howard Shook and six of his colleagues.

The IG says if it passes, it will rip the teeth out of her office.

“We have had delays. We’ve had obstruction. We’ve had disclosure of our requests,” said Atlanta Inspector General Shannon Manigault. 

She is disappointed in legislation introduced Monday by Shook to limit the authority of the independent office in its effort to hold city employees and officials accountable.

Currently, stakeholder organizations nominate board members to oversee the IG, but Shook’s legislation would change the charter.

“It takes the additional step of creating a mayoral board, so right now the board of the inspector general and the language in the charter says the board is there to ensure the independence of the office. That model, which is a great one, and one that had been lauded by other cities,” Shannon Manigault affirmed.

That could soon go away. The IG believes all Atlantans should be alarmed by this.

Another new aspect, the new board would appoint an inspector general, which could leave Manigault searching for a new job.

“Always what is important is what’s best for the institution. It’s not about Shannon Manigault. It’s about the citizens of Atlanta having trust in this office that’s supposed to build trust in city government,” the IG said.

Manigault says the proposed legislation also does away with the IG getting immediate access to employee documents.

“Rather than have immediate access of records, we need to root out fraud, waste, and corruption in the city. We have to go to employees, and it’s voluntary as to whether those employees are gonna provide city records and city property. That’s unheard of,” the top attorney explained.

The legislation was introduced Monday.

There will be an opportunity to make changes to it next week during the finance committee meeting.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A 58-year-old man has been arrested and charged with felony public indecency on Wednesday afternoon.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says Timothy Kevin Marcus, 58, was arrested without incident around 4 p.m. and charged with two counts of felony public indecency.

The sheriff’s office says they were made aware of online social media footage regarding this incident.

The sheriff’s office says additional charges may be forthcoming.

According to the sheriff’s office, Marcus has five previous convictions for similar offenses, including one in Columbia County.

“I would like to thank our media partners and the citizens who provided the critical information that allowed us to swiftly apprehend this suspect. By working together, we can accomplish so much more for the safety and well-being of the residents and visitors of Augusta-Richmond County,” said Sheriff Gino Brantley.

Marcus is currently being held at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center, according to the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff’s office is requesting that anyone with direct footage or additional information regarding any specific incident, please email it to the sheriff’s office at pio@augustaga.gov.

Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

As D.C. continues to dig out of Monday’s snow storm, there are many residents who need help clearing their sidewalks, walkways and driveways.

Even a little snow can be problematic for seniors and people with disabilities.

That’s where D.C.’s “Snow Hero” program comes in.

More than 200 volunteers from all walks of life signed up with the D.C. government to lend a hand.

Nigle Brake and his team with the environmental organization Ward 8 Woods are some of them.

“Well, it’s about taking care of your community and giving back when you can,” Brake said.

Brake and his team were called to shovel at one home in Southeast D.C. Wednesday morning, but noticed the neighbors’ sidewalks also needed shoveling.

“We noticed that next door there were two houses, and that house had a veteran sign on it. So we looked at that house, knocked on the door. But then we saw the elevator lift, and saw that the individual is possibly in a wheelchair. So, we took the opportunity to knock on the door,” Brake said.

Hundreds of residents called the city for help clearing their steps and walkways after Monday’s snow storm dumped several inches on the city.

“So far, over a thousand D.C. residents have been matched with volunteers to shovel their driveways and walkways, but we still have hundreds more that need help,” Serve D.C. Director Dominique A. Scott told News4.

“I think it shows the resilience of the community, of people giving back and caring about those in need,” Brake said.

“They’re amazing. We couldn’t do this without them. The engagement of the residents makes all the difference, and when people see that their community members are showing up for them, it warms their heart,” Scott said.

Any D.C. residents who need help shoveling their snow, or who want to volunteer, can call 311.