Locke withdraws from Sandy Springs City Council election amid claims of unpaid taxes

Key Points:
• Lauren Locke withdraws from the Sandy Springs City Council District 2 election.
• The city is investigating Locke regarding allegations of unpaid federal and state taxes.
• Locke’s withdrawal leaves incumbent Melody Kelley as the only candidate in that race.

Lauren Locke told Rough Draft Atlanta on Oct. 3 that she has withdrawn from the Sandy Springs City Council District 2 election, but has not commented about whether the move is related to a pending investigation into allegations of unpaid state and federal taxes.

In an email sent to Rough Draft, Locke said she was dropping out of the race and would not participate in an upcoming candidate forum scheduled for Oct. 6.

Locke’s withdrawal leaves incumbent Melody Kelley as the sole candidate for that seat.

Locke had reported no outstanding indebtedness in her campaign contribution disclosure report dated Aug. 18, but Sandy Springs City Clerk Raquel Gonzalez contacted Locke on Sept. 29 after allegations were made that she was in default on state and federal taxes.

City attorney Dan Lee reviewed public records and found several outstanding liens for state and federal taxes, a city spokesperson told Rough Draft.

Locke is the chief operating officer for Cornerstone Advisors Group LLC of Sandy Springs. It is not known whether the liens are related to business or personal taxes.

Rough Draft has reached out to Locke about her reasons for withdrawing via email and phone calls. She said she will make a statement on Oct. 5.

Related stories:
• Georgia voters have until Oct. 6 to register for upcoming elections
• Rough Draft partners with WSB-TV for Sandy Springs mayoral forum

“I, as Election Superintendent, have received a concern that you are currently in default on federal, state, county, municipal, or school system taxes. Please verify if this information is correct,” Raquel Gonzalez, city clerk and the city’s municipal election superintendent, said in her letter to Locke. “If you are currently in default of said taxes, then advise if such matters have been finally adjudicated and the status of the resolution of such adjudication and provide any supporting documentation.”

In the letter, Gonzalez said that under the Georgia Constitution, a person who is in tax default with a court-issued tax lien is ineligible to hold office. Gonzalez said that includes candidates who have been notified of their tax debt and have failed to resolve it. Paying the tax debt in full or working out a payment plan approved by the taxing authority could restore that eligibility.

In the letter, Gonzalez gave Locke until Oct. 2 to reply. Long confirmed that Locke had submitted documentation that is being reviewed.

Rough Draft has reached out to Locke about her reasons for withdrawing via email and phone calls. She said she will make a statement on Oct. 5.

Rough Draft will host a virtual candidate forum for Sandy Springs City Council candidates on Monday, Oct. 6. Register to attend at this link.

The post Locke withdraws from Sandy Springs City Council election amid claims of unpaid taxes appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.