A Bibb County official says he knew that the county's industrial authority was awarding contracts to companies connected to their former chairman, Cliffard Whitby.
James Bumpus, head of the county's Office of Small Business Affairs, told county commissioners that he didn't think it was his role to speak up.
"It's a small town," he said.
Bumpus also said he had no role in choosing those companies for work with the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority. He said he just connected local companies to those contract opportunities.
Last month, the authority accused three companies of bilking the industrial authority of nearly $2 million.
Last month, the authority said an audit found that they paid out $1,954,749 to three companies for work that was never done -- in some cases, on buildings that didn't exist.
The three companies, according to the authority, are Armstead Management of Atlanta; and W.M. Construction of Macon; and New Age Concept and Consulting of Macon.
They said all three companies were owned by people related to Whitby.
Many of the invoices -- like the ones for $97,000 in payments for demolition of a building that was never demolished -- were apparently authorized by Whitby and marked "Approved -- C.W."
Whitby resigned last August after being indicted on federal charges for allegedly bribing Bibb County's school superintendent.
Bumpus released a statement Tuesday saying that he resigned April 20 due to "unfair treatment."
He says he encountered a "hostile environment" during a county budget meeting, including "negative comments" by assistant county manager Julie Moore.
Bumpus did not describe those comments, but said he felt his "character and integrity" were under attack.
He declined comment after the meeting.