State agency spending thousands to repair image after ANF investigations

n Atlanta News First investigation has uncovered a state agency spending thousands of taxpayer dollars on public relations firms to help with its image following multiple investigations by the local news outlet.

Over the past few years, the Georgia Public Defender Council, which represents 85% of all people charged with crimes, has struggled to hire enough attorneys.

Since December, Atlanta News First investigations has shed light on multiple people behind bars in county jails across Georgia, legally innocent, but without legal representation, a violation of the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

In an apparent attempt to put a positive spin on the struggling agency, documents obtained through public record requests show the Defender Council has hired two public relations companies.

THE SIXTH | A SPECIAL ATLANTA NEWS FIRST INVESTIGATION