Documents obtained via an open records request show that statements made by Land Bank Authority Director Shawn Edwards at a December meeting of the group do not line up with bank records.
Further, the content of a text between Edwards and Augusta Housing and Community Department Authority Director Hawthorne Welcher has many people “troubled.”
Edwards told the authority members that a $4,000 cash advance made ahead of a trip to Tampa, Fla., and a subsequent trip to Cleveland, Ohio, were necessary after Cadence Bank informed him the credit card used for the trip had been compromised.
Yet, the bank records show credit cards were used in both Tampa and Cleveland.
While in Cleveland, Edwards and his entourage dropped a total of $185.64 at Eliot’s Bar and paid the bills with a credit card. Dinners at The Burnham and Miller’s Ale House totaled $522.56, and those bills were paid by credit card.
The only bill where it appears cash was paid were two notations on a buffet receipt showing a total of $700 paid to Jack’s Casino in Cleveland.
The records do show that Edwards is a good tipper when entertaining on the taxpayer’s tab; he generally tips his servers between 25% and 30%.
Because the credit cards receipts had the credit card numbers redacted, it is impossible to tell if the cards used were issued by Cadence bank; however, the receipts were turned over, showing proof that the drinks, dinners and an outing at a casino were charged to the taxpayers of Augusta.
At the land bank meeting, Edwards didn’t address a $700 meal in Brooklyn, N.Y., but said his role requires entertaining clients. He also didn’t address a Dec. 11 tab totaling $779.96 at T-Bonz restaurant, a Dec. 20 bill amounting to $2,056 from Chick-Fil-A or a $785 grocery bill from Publix during the same time period.
However, what really caused concern was a text message sent on government phones between Edwards and Welcher. The text was discovered amid hundreds of pages of documents released via an open records request.
The exchange contains a remark from Edwards to Welcher stating: “We disagree on some work s***; approaches and outcomes. But I wouldn’t let that f*** with the bond. You helped me in my career and I won’t forget that. You’ve trusted me with my radical ass black power thinking.”
Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson says that while he understands that the texts are just “two guys talking,” and they likely never thought such a private conversation would be made public, he still finds Edwards’ statement troubling.
“Racism or a racist attitude whether coming from Black people or White people should not be a part of our city government. I do find those comments troubling because it displays a mindset I don’t follow. I have said from the very beginning we can only grow as one community and that has to include all of us, Black, White, gay, straight, whatever, it doesn’t matter. We as a community cannot afford to have bigoted attitudes,” Johnson said.
Johnson did not outright call for any immediate action against Edwards, but he did say that the entire structure and purpose of the Augusta Land Bank Authority is under review, and he may be proposing changes soon.
Local developer Michael Thurman says that while he has never experienced any racial discrimination in his dealings with the Land Bank, he has heard stories of others who have and admits that it is indeed a problem.
“There are some who feel, ‘We are in power now’ and they can ‘stick it to the White people.’ That is true. They do it because they can, and this does need to stop. Those of us who are truly working to grow Augusta, make our city better and are getting results are color blind,” Thurman said.
Multiple attempts to reach Edwards by phone and text have been unsuccessful.
Scott Hudson is the Senior Investigative Reporter and Editorial Page Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
