On September 30, 2008, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia denied motions for summary judgment filed by the City of Atlanta and five current and former City employees in litigation related to the procurement of advertising concessions services at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. When originally filed in November 2004, the plaintiff, an unsuccessful bidder for the advertising contract, named as defendants fourteen individual City officials and employees, but nine of those individuals, including Mayor Franklin, have since been dismissed from the case.
In denying the motions, the Court simply determined that factual issues exist that should be resolved by a jury. The City looks forward to the opportunity to present its case to a jury at the appropriate time and is currently in the process of reviewing the order and considering its appeal options and next steps.
The City takes pride in its fair and transparent procurement processes and firmly believes that the airport advertising procurement, in particular, was conducted with integrity and in compliance with all applicable laws and practices.
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