TIMELINE: HOW VAUGHN IRONS’ COMPANY BECAME A DEKALB COUNTY CONTRACTOR

Oct. 30, 2009: Vaughn Irons requests a legal opinion from the DeKalb County Board of Ethics, after being told by the county attorney that he can’t be on the Development Authority board and be a government contractor, too. His company, APD Solutions, sought a housing revitalization contract through the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Aug. 11, 2010: Ethics Board minutes show a discussion of penning a letter admonishing the county attorney for interfering in an ethics matter. Minutes also show the Irons decision is tabled. Sept. 15, 2010: Ethics Board minutes show no Irons opinion was rendered after two board members raised questions. They ask for additional information at the next scheduled meeting, but no records show the matter ever coming back up. Oct. 24, 2011: APD Solutions submits another bid for an NSP contract. Nov. 30, 2011: A letter to Irons from then-Purchasing Director Kelvin Walton shows Irons is still deemed an ineligible bidder. Dec. 1, 2011: Irons is still deemed an ineligible bidder by the purchasing department, according to meeting minutes of the bid selection committee. Dec. 16, 2011: The invalid Ethics Board advisory opinion shows up in the purchasing department, according to a date stamp on the top page. No one is sure who delivered it, how it arrived or who initially received it. April 10, 2012: The DeKalb County Commission votes to award APD Solutions a $1 million contract to rehab foreclosed homes. Stan Watson casts a vote, despite receiving $500 per month from APD for consulting services.