FORT VALLEY, Ga. — The City of Fort Valley voted Thursday afternoon to fire their city administrator over concerns over his background. As of Friday at 5 p..m., Jonathan Harris will be out of a job.
The city council made their decision to fire Jonathan Harris Thursday afternoon after community members to show up to express their concerns at a council meeting last week.
An investigative report from WSB-TV in Atlanta said Harris served time at Central State Prison for a probation violation in 2016. Fort Valley resident Marcus Agostino told 13WMAZ last week that the report troubled him.
"I'm sorry, I just would not want to have someone without a good background taking care of my money," Agostino said.
The meeting last week ended with the council agreeing to reconvene after receiving a background check from Harris.
"I move that Mr. Harris' employment be approved pending submission of a satisfactory background check and discussion of various contract terms under the review of the city attorney," Councilmember Fred Van Hartesveldt said.
The report from WSB-TV said Harris had been charged with impersonating an officer, simple battery and a felony charge of robbery by force. He got first-offender status for the felony charge, but when it comes to his background, Harris is confident.
"I have nothing to hide," Harris said to the public.
Right now, it is unclear what exactly in the background check led the council to reconsider Harris' contract.
Marcus Agostino said he believes people should get a chance to redeem themselves, but not in a position of power.
"Don't get me wrong: I believe in second chances, but second chances are okay if you're not about to get into someone's seat that's handling a couple of million dollars a year worth of checks that you've got to sign," Agostino said.
13WMAZ's Cecily Stoute was at the meeting, and she'll have both sides of the controversy tonight at 11 p.m.