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Trial of bid-rigging and corruption in Douglas County begins with opening statements

Opening statements in Douglas County corruption trial

Opening arguments are currently underway in a case with significant political implications in Douglas County. Prosecutors have accused the suspended Douglas County Commission Chair, a suspended county commissioner and the county's tax commissioner of bidding rigging by arranging for a political supporter to receive a county contract.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Georgia. – Five men and eight women comprise a jury of 12 and one alternate selected to hear testimony from several elected officials in Douglas County in a bid-rigging trial.

Prosecutors told jurors that suspended Douglas County Commission Chair Romona Jackson-Jones, suspended County Commissioner Henry Mitchell, Tax Commissioner Greg Baker and small business owner Anthony Knight conspired to ensure that Knight received a cleaning services contract with Douglas County.

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During their opening statements, the prosecution told jurors that Knight missed the May 29, 2018 deadline to submit a bid for the cleaning contract for the county's new annex, and Baker began asking about which contractors had submitted bids.

While the prosecution claims Baker and the co-defendants rigged the offer for Knight, the defense said there was no conspiracy or bribes.

Late Wednesday afternoon, the government presented James Worthington, Douglas County's development services director, as its first witness.

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