H. Ford Gravitt admits he had taxpayers pay girlfriend’s insurance
Channel: 24 Health News
Date: 2015-06-02

CummingGa Mayor H. Ford Gravitt admits he had taxpayers pay girlfriend’s insurance

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Health Records, Personal Health Record

Mayor admits he had taxpayers pay girlfriend's insurance 

CUMMING, Ga — Cumming Mayor Ford Gravitt is trying to have a council member impeached after 40 years on the job by accusing him of releasing private information.

But a Channel 2 Action News investigation found Gravitt may actually be the one who committed a crime. He admitted to investigative reporter Jodie Fleischer that he signed his long-time girlfriend onto the city's health insurance plan years ago, at taxpayer expense.

"She's on there because she does a lot of work for the city of Cumming and, uh I put her on there," said Gravitt.

Angela Mullinax is not a city employee and she doesn't live with Gravitt.

"I have no comment, thank you," replied Mullinax when Fleischer asked about receiving the benefits.

The information came to light when Councilman Rupert Sexton asked the city's human resources department for a list of all city-paid health insurance recipients. He was trying to save taxpayers money by looking for ways to trim the budget.

"When we're pinching the budget, and every corner we can to save money and here's $75,000 flying out in the wind?" said Sexton. He told Fleischer he was floored when he saw Mullinax's name on the list.

"In your mind, what is her status of employment with the city?" Fleischer asked.

"Mayor's girlfriend," replied Sexton.

He says he took the list to Gravitt in August to confront him about it.

"He said if that's a problem, I'll remove her," recounted Sexton. Sexton says he also shared the list with two other council members in November.

Last week, the list popped up on a social media site run by citizen activists in Forsyth County. The site criticized Gravitt for giving the benefits to Mullinax.

Within days, Gravitt called a special meeting to consider impeaching Sexton for disclosing the document.

"It's a vendetta," said Sexton, "I'm not going to sit back and be slapped around."

Channel 2 also obtained the document, which is a spreadsheet containing the employees' names, hire dates, whether they have a single or family policy, and how much money the city and employees pay toward their insurance; that information is routinely released in accordance with Georgia's Open Records Act. There was no health information contained in the document.

The mayor and city attorney interpret the law differently.

"We have 139 city employees that had personal, and financial information that's been made public through the social media and that's a serious problem the way I look at it," said Gravitt.

Sexton says the information is public record, but maintains he did not release it publicly, only to his fellow council members and the mayor.

"I am going to defend myself because I've done nothing illegal, immoral or unethical," said Sexton.

Sexton says Mullinax's health and dental policies have cost Cumming taxpayers roughly $75,000 over the years, which could amount to theft.

Gravitt told Fleischer he discussed giving Mullinax city insurance benefits years ago, with each commissioner individually. Sexton says that never happened and there was no official vote to do it.

On Tuesday, City Council members voted to convene a three-member investigative panel to interview witnesses, review documents and recommend whether a vote should be taken on Sexton's impeachment.

Sexton says he will fight the effort, as a whistleblower, "I'm protecting the citizens of the city of Cumming, that's what they elect me to do."