Elaine Lucas denies MWA complaint, calls for grand jury investigation
Lucas denies an employee’s allegation that she was aggressive and threatening during a board meeting and says the authority needs more financial transparency
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon Water Authority District One board member Elaine Lucas is speaking out after an employee accused her of being aggressive and threatening during a board meeting.
“I’m at one of those points now where there is a challenge to my integrity and I’m going to face that head on,” Lucas said during a news conference on Tuesday.
Lucas denies the allegations, saying the situation goes beyond the interaction. She points to what she calls a lack of transparency within the authority. She is calling for a grand jury investigation into the agency’s operations and finances.
“I called for a grand jury investigation of the Macon Water Authority and I’m calling for that again,” she said. “There’s a lot of rotten stuff going on here, not among our wonderful employees but among the leadership and the board.”
The complaint stems from a May 8 statement from an employee who said Lucas spoke in a loud, disrespectful tone during a discussion about conference arrangements, leaving her feeling threatened.
Lucas disputes that account, saying she was simply seeking information.
Her attorney, Nefertara Miller, says Lucas is being targeted for pushing for financial transparency, including questions about the use of purchase cards.
“Her call for transparency in the use of purchase cards by employees and board members is not a radical act,” Miller said. “It is precisely the kind of oversight that public servants are elected and appointed to provide.”
According to Macon Water Authority Chairman Gary Bechtel, complaints involving board members are reviewed by general counsel to determine if further investigation is necessary.
He says an investigator has already been identified and is in contact with both Lucas and the employee.
When asked about Lucas; call for an investigation, Bechtel said she has made similar claims for the past two years without providing supporting accusations and questioned why they should be taken seriously now.
This remains an ongoing situation. We’ll bring updates as they become available.
