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VOLUME 25 NUMBER 9
MAY 31, 2019 Stay connected
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Grand Jury indicts DeKalb police officer in baton beating on mentally ill woman Invesco to expand, creating 500 jobs in Atlanta Hundreds of jobs are coming to Atlanta as Invesco, one of the world’s leading investment managers, expands its global headquarters in Midtown. Invesco will move to a new building in Midtown Union, currently under development by MetLife Investment Management & Granite Properties and scheduled for completion in August 2022. Officials say the expansion represents a $70 million investment that will increase its workforce by 500. Invesco first came to Atlanta in 1978, moving its global headquarters in 2007. “We’re excited by the opportunity to build on our 40-year presence in the city and meaningfully expand our local team to nearly 1,200 professionals, which will enhance our ability to meet client needs here in Atlanta and across the globe,” said Invesco President and CEO Martin L. Flanagan. “We’re also pleased to join MetLife Investment Management & Granite Properties in the development of one of Atlanta’s premier locations at the corner of 17th Street and West Peachtree Street. To further strengthen our global operating platform, we will make a significant, $70 million investment in our business here for the benefit of our clients, employees, and shareholders, while continuing to play an active role in our community.” Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms thanked Invesco for its commitment to Atlanta. “This expansion is a testament to the role public-private partnerships play in creating new jobs and economic opportunity for Atlanta residents,” Bottoms said. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp praised Atlanta for its track record in attracting the global headquarters for many companies including Invesco. “Georgia’s unmatched pro-business environment has repeatedly served as a magnet for many global headquarters, but there is no greater endorsement than when one of our own chooses to grow and invest in the Peach State,” said Kemp. Invesco is responsible for managing $1.2 trillion in assets on behalf of clients worldwide. It is the sixth-largest U.S. retail asset manager and the thirteenth-largest investment manag-
SEE INVESCO page 7
A DeKalb County Grand Jury has returned an indictment against a DeKalb County Police Officer accused of using his baton to repeatedly striking a woman inside a Decatur convenience store. Phillip Larscheid, 29, is charged with one count of Aggravated Assault and one count of Violation of Oath, both felonies, in connection with the 2017 incident involving Katie McCrary that was captured on cell phone video that went viral a month after he had been cleared of using excessive force. Authorities reopened the case after the video of his viciously beating her became public. “We determined that the case warranted prosecutorial action and presented the case today to the Grand Jury,” DeKalb District Attorney Sherry Boston announced on May 30 during a news conference. Boston said a warrant was issued for Larscheid’s arrest and he was expected to turn himself in within two days. She said the case would be scheduled for arraignment and set for trial at a later date. A number of civil rights activists and others protested the beating, saying Larscheid, who is white, used excessive force as the black
Phillip Larscheid
Katie McCrary
woman tried to shield herself from his repeated blows. Amos King, who led one of the protests, said he was pleased with the indictment. “We’re glad to see that he was indicted. I’m glad the D.A. did what needed to be done,” said King. “It’s been long enough—over two years—that he (Larscheid) has been on desk duty. He should have been fired a long time ago, instead of wasting taxpayers’ money. This officer should go to jail.” The charges against Larscheid stem from an incident inside a Chevron Gas Station in the 3300 block of Glenwood Road in Decatur on June 4, 2017. The officer was dispatched to the location on a shoplifting and loitering call involving McCrary as the alleged suspect.
Sherry Boston
According to the investigation, Officer Larscheid encountered McCrary near the front door when he arrived. The officer advised McCrary that she needed to stay so he could speak with her. McCrary attempted to leave, pushing into and past the officer in an effort to go around him and leave the store, Boston said in a news release Larscheid then began beating the woman across her arms, legs, back, and once in the head. McCrary was handcuffed and arrested for Felony Obstruction of an Officer. She was taken to the hospital where medical staff determined she sustained a laceration to her lower left leg and multiple contusions on her arms and legs consistent with baton strikes.
Stonecrest prepares to repave additional roads with 5-1 vote By Valerie J. Morgan The City of Stonecrest plans to continue repaving its roads, tackling three of the city’s major thoroughfares—Rockland, Salem and Thompson Mill roads, utilizing a portion of the city’s special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST). In a 5-1 vote at its May 28 meeting, the City Council authorized city staff members to release an invitation for contractors to bid on the next round of road resurfacing projects. Councilwoman Diane Adoma cast the dissenting vote. “We don’t have a comprehensive process to continue to bid out work,” Adoma said in defending her vote. Mayor Jason Lary said he is confident the city has the staff in place to oversee the projects and elated the additional roads would get fixed this year.
“Residents won’t have to wait another year to get the major roads repaved, and I’m happy that the majority of the council agreed. I don’t understand how we didn’t have a unanimous vote on completing the work we’ve already started, especially when it affects all five districts,” the mayor said. “This will catch us up with any repaving being behind.” Deputy City Manager Plez Joyner urged the council to approve putting out an invitation for contractors to bid on the work, saying approval would ensure that $2 to $3 million of additional resurfacing would be completed by November. Joyner said this year, Salem and Rockland roads would be milled and repaved, and Thompson Mill Road would be reconstructed with fulldepth reclamation similar to work that will be done on Turner Hill Road.
SEE VOTE page 7