A politically powerful airport vendor with connections to two Atlanta mayors is embroiled in a battle with the Georgia Department of Transportation.
A closed door hearing was held on Wednesday to decide whether Atlanta Restaurant Partners is truly a disadvantaged minority business. The state DOT is taking the unusual step under orders from the FAA.
The group is fighting to keep its certification as a disadvantaged minority business, even though one of the owners is the widow of Mayor Maynard Jackson
Atlanta Restaurant Partners is owned by former Mayor Maynard Jackson's widow, Valerie, and her daughter, Brooke Jackson Edmond, along with Mayor Kasim Reed's campaign manager Daniel Halpern.
FAA rules say if the owner is a woman or minority and your business makes, on average, less than $56 million a year, and your personal net worth is less than $1.3 million, then you can qualify as a disadvantaged business.
The state DOT certified Atlanta Restaurant Partners as disadvantaged. But, then acting on a complaint, the FAA investigated and said that they aren't.
Why?
For one, the FAA believes Daniel Halpern is not a minority. Native Americans are considered minorities.
"I am a registered member of the Six Nations of the Grand River Band, which right outside of Buffalo, New York," Halpern said in April 2012.
The FOX 5 I-Team has confirmed that Halpern has tribal heritage because we found a 1951 border crossing document that shows his mother's heritage. But her tribe is in Canada. So according to the FAA, Mr. Halpern doesn't qualify.
"I don't know what it means, I've talked to people in DC, there are different interpretations of what makes someone native," said Halpern.
The FAA believes Halpern is the one who actually controls the company. The FAA stated that Valerie Jackson and her daughter, Brooke Jackson Edmond, didn't have credentials to work at the airport.
"It was an inaccurate accusation that I never visited the stores. I don't need a badge to visit the stores. If I'm traveling, I go by the store," Valerie Jackson said.
"We only own two restaurants at the airport, we own 18 restaurants total. We're very busy," said Brooke Jackson Edmond.
The FAA says Brooke Jackson Edmond also has a work conflict. She's CEO of the non-profit foundation, Maynard Jackson Youth Foundation. Their tax records show that she spends 20 hours a week on the Foundation.
Brooke said she's confident they will prevail.
"I think it will be the right thing if we win. I hope that we do. I believe we will," said Brooke Jackson Edmond.
The hearing was closed to reporters. At the end, the DOT said it would take up to 30 days to review the all evidence before making a decision.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:38 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:38:42 GMT
The City Council of Chamblee has delayed a controversial land rezoning variance. The Council also issued a preliminary resolution saying that they wanted to fire their own manager.
The City Council of Chamblee has delayed a controversial land rezoning variance. The Council also issued a preliminary resolution saying that they wanted to fire their own manager.
Monday, June 17 2013 8:03 AM EDT2013-06-17 12:03:25 GMT
We all get excited about leaving town and going on vacation, so we tend to tell everyone about it. But, a word of caution before spreading the good news.
We all get excited about leaving town and going on vacation, so we tend to tell everyone about it. But, a word of caution before spreading the good news.
Monday, June 17 2013 7:13 AM EDT2013-06-17 11:13:04 GMT
Pomegranate juice has been sold as a real 'cure-all' over the last couple of years. But in a decision made this month, the FTC has ordered at least one manufacturer to back off on its strong health claims.
Pomegranate juice has been sold as a real 'cure-all' over the last couple of years. But in a decision made this month, the Federal Trade Commission has ordered at least one manufacturer to back off some pretty strong health claims.
Friday, June 14 2013 8:56 AM EDT2013-06-14 12:56:09 GMT
Retailers got the go-ahead to pass along some extra charges to you, but not without some rules attached. You might not have noticed them just yet, but you should be on the lookout.
Retailers got the go-ahead to pass along some extra charges to you, but not without some rules attached. You might not have noticed them just yet, but you should be on the lookout.
Thursday, June 13 2013 3:29 PM EDT2013-06-13 19:29:22 GMT
A man once hailed as a military hero was arrested on Wednesday. Former Holly Springs Police Officer Shane Ladner is accused of tricking people into thinking that he received a Purple Heart for being wounded in battle.
A man once hailed as a military hero was arrested on Wednesday. Former Holly Springs Police Officer Shane Ladner is accused of tricking people into thinking that he received a Purple Heart for being wounded in battle.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 11:36 PM EDT2013-06-13 03:36:50 GMT
Tonight at 10, FOX 5 I-Team reporter Randy Travis shows how long it took a local sheriff to finally arrest a repeat horse abuser – even after state inspectors had spent years trying to stop the abuse!
Tonight at 10, FOX 5 I-Team reporter Randy Travis shows how long it took a local sheriff to finally arrest a repeat horse abuser – even after state inspectors had spent years trying to stop the abuse!
Wednesday, June 12 2013 9:07 AM EDT2013-06-12 13:07:42 GMT
You may have noticed – or, at least heard – that mortgage rates are starting to inch up again. The I-Team's Dana Fowle is here to help you understand what this change means for home buyers right now.
You may have noticed – or, at least heard – that mortgage rates are starting to inch up again. The I-Team's Dana Fowle is here to help you understand what this change means for home buyers right now.
