As calls continue to grow for a forensic audit on all city-issued credit cards, the bills rung up by the mayor’s office remain mystifying and receipts remain missing.
Some of Mayor Hardie Davis’ PayPal spending is obvious, as some charges were paid to his chief of staff Petula Burks and consultant Lynthia Ross. However, other Paypal expenses in various amounts have no explanation.
Despite repeated attempts by The Augusta Press, the mayor’s office has for months now refused to turn over all the receipts requested.
MORE: Augusta Commission Authorizes Credit Card Policy Study
The mayor receives a gasoline allowance each month for his city vehicle, but the credit card shows monthly spending at gas stations all over Augusta and North Augusta. No receipts for these charges have been made available to the public.
In December of 2020, the city of Augusta paid, through the mayor’s credit card, $517 to fly actress Brandee Evans from Los Angeles to Atlanta.
Evans is known for her role in the Starz drama “P-Valley,” a series about strip dancers at a Mississippi Delta club called “The Pynk.”
The mayor brought Evans to Augusta to lecture in his “Move With The Mayor: Women and Girls Edition.”
A credit card statement shows the mayor paid the plane fare for Evans, but after that, the trail ends. No statements for transportation for Evans from Atlanta to Augusta, nor are there records indicating whether Evans was provided with lodging or if she was paid for her appearance.
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Credit card statements also show where the mayor paid for luxury transportation services for model Eva Marcille and paid her $5,000 to appear in a video, by way of a non-profit called “Reed For Hope,” an organization closely aligned with Planned Parenthood.
As previously reported, a $4,500 payment was made to Atlanta Premier Production to produce a video featuring jazz saxophonist Mike Phillips. Again, no records have emerged to show how much the musician was paid for his performance during the “Mayor’s Masters Experience.”
After repeated requests, the mayor’s office has been able to find receipts to Wendy’s restaurant, but nothing indicating why he needed a Constant Contact account. Records show the mayor’s credit card was used to cover $243 spent on the email marketing company’s service.
There is also no receipt for $326.25 paid through swipe.com to someone named Chris Hello.
It appears the mayor’s office is now working to conform to state law as it staff are now filling out P-Card forms for some purchases.
MORE: Augusta Commission Makes First Step in Reining in Mayor’s Credit Card
However, even the improved record-keeping doesn’t explain why the mayor spent $411 on 100 custom-dyed face masks, $500 for a band to play at the partisan “Stroll To The Polls” event, as well as $522 to the event organizer, $104.09 for camping equipment, $52.25 for a mousepad, $1,000 to someone named Amanda Shedrick, $910 to Phoenix Oil Company and $1,500 to rent Bell Auditorium.
The mayor’s office also turned over receipts for a home stainless steel vertical bowl-drying rack, kitchen condiment organizer and utensil caddy as well as several purchases at the Home Depot.
The Home Depot receipts show that the mayor gets a military discount at the store. Davis’ official bio doesn’t indicate he ever served in the military.
Davis did answer a call to his cell phone, but he refused to explain or comment on why he received military discounts.
Scott Hudson is the Senior Reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com.
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