DECATUR, Ga. – DeKalb County has agreed to pay $750,000 to resolve alleged civil claims under federal law that may have occurred between 2013 and 2016. According to the allegations, former WorkSource DeKalb officials improperly administered an on-the-job training program.
The settlement was the result of a coordinated effort by the Civil Rights Division of the U. S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia and DeKalb County officials.
The settlement relates to conduct occurring prior to DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond’s administration.
Prior to being informed of the federal investigation, CEO Thurmond initiated a departmental review of WorkSource DeKalb. This resulted in the removal of the former manager and other senior staff. A new director, Theresa Austin-Gibbons, was appointed in April 2018.
DeKalb County was first notified of the federal investigation four months later in August 2018.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, WorkSource DeKalb provides workforce investment activities through state and local agencies to increase occupational skills.
According to a May 21, 2019, news release by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, “The claims settled in the civil settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. As part of its settlement with the United States, DeKalb County has also entered into a Corrective Action Plan with the Department of Labor, in which the County will be subject to reporting and monitoring requirements related to its administration of the OJT Program.”
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