ADW Atlanta Daily World
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Mike Berlon Page 7
Rev. Dr. Grainger Browning Page 8
Volume 85 • Issue 44
ADW ‘Women of Excellence’ have Delightful Stories to Tell
By Charlotte Roy ADW Managing Editor
Tanya Coleman
Stacy Cole-Bell
You may know that Tanya Coleman is Media recognizing the contributions and marketing and advertising manager at Publix accomplishments of extraordinary women in Supermarkets, but few people know that her Atlanta and the surrounding communities. first ambition was to be a blues singer. “In “Our 2013 honorees have demonstrated high school, that was the career I wanted,” she exceptional courage, unwavering conviction, says with a smile. “But it turns out I was just and extraordinary grace in achieving notable too shy.” success in their careers and community service Coleman, who is noted for her beautiful efforts,” says Atlanta Daily World Publisher voice, sings for friends, church and personal Alexis Scott. “But, they are also interesting pleasure. But, she notes, “I just wasn’t ready to women with delightful stories to tell.” sing the blues.” Most people know Veronica Biggins as You may know that Atty. Stacy Cole is direcmanaging director of the Atlanta office of Ditor of government and community affairs for versified Search, who served as assistant to the Veronica Biggins Comcast, but it’s not widely known that one of president of the United States and director of her hobbies is collecting angels. “I started when my mother presidential personnel under Bill Clinton. But what you may was ill and I was caring for her,” she recalls. “I have 30 angels not know is that as a child she lived in Jakarta, Indonesia, for now, and I add to my collection whenever I travel.” two years while her father taught at the university there. Her angels are ceramic, or handcrafted, or “just unique “Coming from North Carolina, it was an extraordinary enough to catch my eye,” she says. “It’s something that gives experience for me,” she says. “Particularly to see that all the me pleasure, though I have to work to keep it under control.” people were brown, and they were in charge of the whole These accomplished and fascinating women are among 50 country. It opened my eyes and affected the rest of my life.” being honored by The Atlanta Daily World as “Women of To purchase tickets to the event, call Michelle Gipson at Excellence” at an awards ceremony on Thursday, June 20, at 404-761-1114 ext. 11 or visit www.atlantadailyworld.com and the 200 Peachtree from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The public is invited click on the “Women of Excellence” icon. to come to the event and meet them. “Women of Excellence” is a signature event of Real Times
Atlanta Braves Page 9
June 6 - 12, 2013
Former Atlanta Public Schools Chief Information Officer Indicted Special to ADW
Jerome Oberlton and Mahendra Patel have been arraigned for allegedly receiving kickback payments in exchange for Oberlton using his influence as chief information officer for Atlanta Public Schools to award a $780,000 computer project. They both pled “not guilty” and were released on bond. “As the chief information officer for APS, Oberlton was entrusted with overseeing a program designed to centralize student data,” said United States Attorney Sally Yates. “Rather than ensuring that venders were selected based upon what was best for the school system, the defendants are charged with using Oberlton’s public position to line their pockets.” According to Yates, the indictment, and information presented in court: Jerome Oberlton was the chief information officer (CIO) for Atlanta Public Schools (APS) between June 2004 and August 2007 and had overall management responsibility for APS’ information technology program. In January 2007, APS issued a request for proposal for a data warehousing project for the school system. The indictment charges that Oberlton influenced the request for proposal process and ultimately caused the winning bidder to be selected in exchange for kickbacks paid to Oberlton and Patel, who was an acquaintance of Oberlton. In order to hide the bribes, Oberlton created Global Technology Partners and later Global Technology Services and funneled the bribe payments through these shell companies. Oberlton was able to conceal his ownership of Global Technology Partners and Global Technology Services from APS. The kickbacks to Patel were disguised as sales commissions for non-existent consulting work. The computer company ultimately paid approximately $60,000 in bribes to Oberlton and Patel for nearly six months and in return the IT company received almost $800,000 in APS project work. The defendants are charged with conspiracy to defraud APS, conspiracy under color of official right, a money laundering conspiracy, mail fraud, and wire fraud. Oberlton additionally is charged with bribery and money laundering, The public is reminded that criminal charges are only allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. For further information, contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or 404-581-6016.
Jerome Oberlton