A politically powerful airport vendor with connections to two Atlanta mayors is embroiled in a battle with the Georgia Department of Transportation.
A closed door hearing was held on Wednesday to decide whether Atlanta Restaurant Partners is truly a disadvantaged minority business. The state DOT is taking the unusual step under orders from the FAA.
The group is fighting to keep its certification as a disadvantaged minority business, even though one of the owners is the widow of Mayor Maynard Jackson
Atlanta Restaurant Partners is owned by former Mayor Maynard Jackson's widow, Valerie, and her daughter, Brooke Jackson Edmond, along with Mayor Kasim Reed's campaign manager Daniel Halpern.
FAA rules say if the owner is a woman or minority and your business makes, on average, less than $56 million a year, and your personal net worth is less than $1.3 million, then you can qualify as a disadvantaged business.
The state DOT certified Atlanta Restaurant Partners as disadvantaged. But, then acting on a complaint, the FAA investigated and said that they aren't.
Why?
For one, the FAA believes Daniel Halpern is not a minority. Native Americans are considered minorities.
"I am a registered member of the Six Nations of the Grand River Band, which right outside of Buffalo, New York," Halpern said in April 2012.
The FOX 5 I-Team has confirmed that Halpern has tribal heritage because we found a 1951 border crossing document that shows his mother's heritage. But her tribe is in Canada. So according to the FAA, Mr. Halpern doesn't qualify.
"I don't know what it means, I've talked to people in DC, there are different interpretations of what makes someone native," said Halpern.
The FAA believes Halpern is the one who actually controls the company. The FAA stated that Valerie Jackson and her daughter, Brooke Jackson Edmond, didn't have credentials to work at the airport.
"It was an inaccurate accusation that I never visited the stores. I don't need a badge to visit the stores. If I'm traveling, I go by the store," Valerie Jackson said.
"We only own two restaurants at the airport, we own 18 restaurants total. We're very busy," said Brooke Jackson Edmond.
The FAA says Brooke Jackson Edmond also has a work conflict. She's CEO of the non-profit foundation, Maynard Jackson Youth Foundation. Their tax records show that she spends 20 hours a week on the Foundation.
Brooke said she's confident they will prevail.
"I think it will be the right thing if we win. I hope that we do. I believe we will," said Brooke Jackson Edmond.
The hearing was closed to reporters. At the end, the DOT said it would take up to 30 days to review the all evidence before making a decision.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:48 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:48:09 GMT
The FOX 5 I-Team has learned that Douglas County District Attorney David McDade is personally asking the GBI to investigate how money is spent in his office.
The FOX 5 I-Team has learned that Douglas County District Attorney David McDade is personally asking the GBI to investigate how money is spent in his office.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:42 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:42:27 GMT
What do major hotel chains, the IRS, and the business partner of a top rapper have in common? Court records show the National Conference of Black Mayors owes all of them money. Big money.
What do major hotel chains, the IRS, and the business partner of a top rapper have in common? Court records show the National Conference of Black Mayors owes all of them money. Big money.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:56 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:56:24 GMT
Americans are known for their pearly whites, but we pay for it—and it isn't cheap.
Americans are known for their pearly whites, but we pay for it—and it isn't cheap. If you have more than one child who needs braces, you have quite an expense on your hands—but FOX 5 I-Team reporter Dana Fowle found some ways to make it a little more manageable.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:12 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:12:38 GMT
The Douglas County district attorney used seized drug money to take support staff to a north Georgia training conference designed for prosecuting attorneys.
The Douglas County district attorney used seized drug money to take support staff to a north Georgia training conference designed for prosecuting attorneys. The FOX 5 I-Team followed along and found the four women didn't even register to attend the conference.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:44 AM EDT2013-05-20 10:44:05 GMT
Maria Boudet is a teen who had been living in foster care. She worked hard and earned a college scholarship. But the scholarship was revoked when Boudet's life-long wish was answered; she was adopted.
Maria Boudet is a teen who had been living in foster care. She worked hard and earned a college scholarship. But the scholarship was revoked when Boudet's life-long wish was answered; she was adopted.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:31 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:31:42 GMT
For decades, Atlantans have woken up to Tom Sullivan on their radios. But you might not know that he's also somewhat of an expert eBay seller, and he's got quite a story to tell.
For decades, Atlantans have woken up to Tom Sullivan on their radios. But you might not know that he's also somewhat of an expert eBay seller, and he's got quite a story to tell.
The FOX 5 I-Team found a pattern of payments and perks to one family by the local district attorney's office, and it's a pattern that has critics crying favoritism.
The FOX 5 I-Team found a pattern of payments and perks to one family by the local district attorney's office, and it's a pattern that has critics crying favoritism.
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