Latest news with #AshliLincoln
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
City of South Fulton adopts new travel policy after mayor's controversial trip to Ghana
The South Fulton City Council passed a new international travel policy this week. It comes amid the ongoing controversy over Mayor Khalid Kamau's spending, including a trip to Ghana last year. Under the policy, the majority of the council must now pre-approve any international trip on the city's behalf. The official proposing the trip must provide an itinerary that includes the estimated costs for the trip and how it benefits the city. The official must also give a post-trip report when they return. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Channel 2 investigator reporter Ashli Lincoln has been reporting for months on allegations that the mayor misused taxpayer money on international trips and certain luxury items. The mayor previously told Lincoln that his trips were business-related and were a part of his economic development and world tour. South Fulton City Council members later filed an ethics complaint against the mayor and ordered an audit for his purchases. The council also voted to freeze the mayor's budget and limit his authority. In a statement, Councilwoman Helen Willis said the new policy passed this week will ensure that all trips will have 'clear guidelines, proper oversight, and a demonstrated public benefit.' RELATED STORIES: South Fulton mayor says eviction attempt is politically motivated South Fulton mayor's paycheck to be garnished over $5,000 mural installed in his office South Fulton mayor claims it's the city council who's misspending money City of South Fulton releases video of mayor being escorted from City Hall, emptying car South Fulton mayor stripped of most privileges, must return expensive items he purchased [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
FBI gives new warning about fake weight loss drugs being sold in Georgia
The FBI is warning consumers to stay away from counterfeit weight loss drugs, saying they can cause serious disorders and even death. Channel 2 investigative reporter Ashli Lincoln learned some of these unlawful drugs may have no weight loss medication in them at all, or a dangerous amount. 'We're seeing people go online and buy counterfeit pens,' said Shabbir Safdar, with Partnership for Safe Medicines. [READ: FDA, doctors warn about compounded Ozempic. What we found at metro weight loss clinics] That's why the FBI is sending a stern warning to consumers to avoid fraudulent compounded weight loss drugs. The federal agency's new alert is about counterfeit drugs claiming to have semaglutide — the key ingredient in weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. 'We're seeing multiple kinds of counterfeits,' Safdar said. TRENDING STORIES: Be weather aware: Severe storms likely this weekend with potential for large hail, tornadoes Julie Chrisley wants her sentence vacated - again - and wants new a judge 1-year-old hit by car, killed in Paulding County Safdar said pharmacies make compounded weight loss medication by combining two or more drugs. But the FBI said some of the compounded forms contain zero weight loss medication or a dangerous amount. 'The FDA has warned a number of compounding pharmacies are actually doing compounding with starting ingredients that are not approved,' Safdar said. The FBI said that's the case for a southern-based medical spa and weight loss clinic that sold their own weight loss medication. Investigators discovered the drugs sold were compounded in Georgia and the compound mixture has an animal-grade semaglutide with Vitamin B12, which is in violation with FDA regulations. The FBI said fraudulent versions of these drugs can come with significant health problems like gastrointestinal, nervous system, cardiac, psychiatric disorders, and in some cases death. Safdar and the FBI said you should avoid too good to be true prices, unlicensed providers, and online offers 'A safe pharmacy for an American, is licensed by your state board of pharmacy. And if you're not getting it from there, it's just not safe,' Safdar said.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Yahoo
DeKalb teacher caught on camera vaping in classroom
A DeKalb County teacher has been placed on administrative leave after video surfaced of her smoking from a vape pen around her students. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Ashli Lincoln learned the video was recorded inside of Lithonia High School on Tuesday. Critics say the teacher's actions indicate this is something she has done before. 'You're in a classroom. She knew better, she should have known better,' said Dr. Joyce Morley, a former DeKalb County School Board member. DeKalb County school officials are investigating why the teacher thought it was OK to smoke a vape pen in her classroom. The video, and the school district's response, LIVE on Channel 2 Action News at 5 p.m. TRENDING STORIES: Gene Hackman death: Gas company assisting with investigation; Hackman, wife found in different rooms Police say Atlanta rapper's 'cowardly' actions led to innocent teens' birthday party murders Average tornado risk creeps up in Georgia as severe weather season begins [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Yahoo
Apartment complex where 3 kids died in fire has been cited nearly 20 times by city
Channel 2 Action News has learned more about the owner of a problem property in southwest Atlanta where three children died in a fire. Channel 2 Investigative reporter Ashli Lincoln spent the day Monday looking through documents all day and learned the owner is based in New Jersey. Capital Realty Group boasts promises of quality affordable housing. But City of Atlanta Code Enforcement citations show a property infested with deterioration and derelict. Records reveal the owner of the Country Oaks Apartments has been issued nearly 20 citations in the past related to 16 different units. Officers found several units with defective electrical outlets and no working smoke detectors in them. Last week, three children died inside a unit at the complex because of an electrical fire. The property is also plagued with several vacant units and buildings with decaying floors, ceilings, and door frames. RELATED STORIES: Rapper Yung Joc says 3 kids killed in Atlanta fire were his family members 'It's tragic:' Community mourns loss of 3 siblings killed in Atlanta fire 3 children killed in Atlanta fire identified Atlanta mayor, fire chief console community after 3 young siblings die in apartment fire Fulton County tax assessors and City of Atlanta police records show the property is owned by a Roswell-based company. However, it's a New Jersey company that is the real owner. Lincoln learned that the property was sold in 2019, but because it was a HUD contract, HUD allows for new owners to not only buy the property but the entity name as well. Municipal court records show the Capital Realty Group in New Jersey is the owner under the Roswell name and has been cited dozens of times and taken to court since 2019. The company has several pending court cases related to its most recent code enforcement inspection. Channel 2 Action News reached out to the New Jersey company for a comment. A representative told us it's looking into this situation. Meanwhile, nearly 400 people have stepped up to help the family of three young children killed in the fire. According to the Fulton County Medical Examiner's office, they're still investigating and haven't determined the cause of death for the three young kids. It's a day that still haunts many in the Country Oaks apartments. 'I saw the flames,' Doreliza Hammond told Channel 2's Candace McCowan. 'When I got here the fire chiefs and all of them were going out. A line of them going out, I thought something is really going on.' It was the middle of the afternoon last Wednesday when fire consumed the apartment building. Fire crews rushed to rescue three young children, but they died at the hospital. We are now seeing the faces of the children who died: 4-year-old Jhacari White, his 1-year-old sister Xyla. Nine-month-old Xhalia was the third victim. A GoFundMe page, set up by co-workers of the children's mother, has raised more than $35,000 to help the family. Channel 2's Ashli Lincoln and Candace McCowan contributed to this article.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
South Fulton mayor can get back into his office, but not his car
The South Fulton City Council has voted to allow Mayor Khalid Kamau to have access to his office and City Hall less than a week after taking those privileges away. The city council says the mayor will be allowed to resume his official duties on city premises, but he will not be allowed to use his city-issued vehicle. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] This comes after city council members voted last week to strip him of most of his privileges. For weeks, Channel 2 investigator reporter Ashli Lincoln has been looking into allegations that the mayor misused taxpayer money on international trips and lavish office furniture. RELATED STORIES: South Fulton mayor defends controversial spending during 'Mayor Mondays' event 'I told everyone no:' Former purchasing manager says South Fulton mayor has a problem with spending South Fulton mayor walks out of city council meeting early after expenses questioned $1,800 table, flight upgrades: Residents want South Fulton mayor investigated for his purchases Trip to Ghana, drone, flights: South Fulton mayor made $26,000 in unauthorized purchase The mayor previously told Lincoln that his trips were business-related and were a part of his economic development and world tour. On Thursday, the city released 28 minutes of body camera footage showing officers escorting the mayor out of City Hall and helping him empty out his city-issued Mustang. 'The City Council remains committed to upholding transparency, accountability, and responsible governance. These measures were not taken lightly but were necessary to protect the integrity of city operations. The Council will continue to evaluate the situation as the investigation progresses and will provide further updates as needed,' the city council said in a statement. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
