EAST POINT, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
A special committee recommended East Point Mayor Earnestine Pittman suffer serious consequences after a judge found she violated her oath of office and the city charter.
The three person committee spent most of the Monday night meeting in a closed-door, executive session. But when they emerged, they threw the book at Pittman - they want her suspended from office for 60 days without pay.
It all started just two weeks ago when an ethics hearing investigation found Pittman guilty of several complaints.
The judgment cited a conflict of interest when she sued her own city over utility rate hikes in November of 2011.
"Pittman could not be an advocate for the city and herself in the lawsuit because clear conflicts of interests stood in her way," the judge said.
The findings also said Pittman violated the city charter when she attempted to keep then City Manager Crandall Jones from receiving his severance package after the city council fired him.
"The law simply did not allow the mayor to make such a hair-splitting veto," the judge said.
After nearly two hours in executive session Monday night, the special committee came up with severe sanctions against Pittman.
"It is the recommendation of this committee that Mayor Earnestine Pittman be suspended for 60 days without pay and expenses but no suspension of benefits," said East Point City Council Member Latonya Martin.
Dustin Drabot, who's already suing Pittman to have her removed from office, was pleased with the committee's recommendation.
"I would say that is a win from the council, I expected less from them and think this is a good first step," Drabot said.
Pittman didn't respond to repeated requests for comment. The city council will now decide whether to implement the committee's recommendations at their next meeting on Sept. 4.
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