The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
After conviction, Bickers exits Sheriff’s Office post
Commission chair received her resignation Friday.
Pastor Mitzi Bickers resigned from her high-salary position with the Clayton County Sheriff ’s Office after her conviction in federal court Wednesday.
Bickers, who has worked in various positions at the office run by controversial and federally indicted lawman Victor Hill, stepped down from her job as chief of staff on Wednesday, Clayton County Commission Chairman Jeff Turner said.
Turner received the resignation Friday, which requires his signature to be finalized, he said.
A get-out-the-vote guru credited with helping Kasim Reed win his first term as mayor of Atlanta, Bickers was convicted on nine of 12 federal charges in connection with allegations of bribery during her time at Atlanta City Hall. The charges included conspiracy to commit bribery, money laundering, wire fraud and filing false tax returns.
Prosecutors alleged Bickers, who was the city of Atlanta’s director of human services from 2010 to 2013, steered some $17 million in sidewalk, bridge work and snow removal contracts to two prominent contractors. She received around $2 million in bribes in return by accessing connections she made in City Hall and after she left. Prosecutor say she bribed other officials in the process.
After leaving City Hall, she went to work for Hill in 2016. Hill, with whom she had a close friendship and for whom she campaigned, promoted her often over the years, including making her a chaplain and later leader of the office’s chaplains. As chief of staff she earned in excess of $130,000 a year.
Bickers faces a maximum sentence of more than 100 years behind bars under federal criminal code. But she will likely receive only a fraction of that penalty at sentencing, scheduled July 12. She was released on bond after trial.