Macon-Bibb mayoral candidate accuses county of mishandling pension money

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon-Bibb Mayoral Candidate Lonzy Edwards believes the county took money from pension funds to balance the budget. 41NBC’s Alexa Rodriguez spoke to current Mayor Robert Reichert who denies the allegation and claims the opposite is true.

“You can not use pension fund resources for any purpose other than pensions,” said Edwards at a news conference Thursday afternoon in front of the Macon-Bibb Government Center.

That’s the only part of this debate Macon-Bibb’s two mayoral candidates agree on.

“The pension fund was used to balance the budget last fiscal year,” alleged Edwards.

The former Bibb Commissioner said he has documents to prove about $5 million was moved. He is willing to share the documents.

“It is mentioned in the budget documentation that was prepared by the administration, but apparently was overlooked and not given a great deal of attention,” claimed Edwards.

Reichert denies the claim.

“I have no idea what he’s talking about,” rebutted Reichert.

Reichert said the county is taking money from the general fund and putting it into the pension fund because the early retirement program has been so successful. He believes the allegation is a political stunt.

“This is one of those things that you always get into with political campaigns. Desperate times and desperate people sometimes result in desperate accusations,” said Reichert.

Reichert and Edwards will meet for a mayoral forum next Tuesday. The free event is from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Douglass Theatre in Downtown Macon.

Election Day is May 24.