JONESBORO — The Clayton County Board of Commissioners could move forward with litigation against the developer of a failed $800 million luxury development in Morrow.
In its regular meeting, Tuesday, Jan. 16, the County Commission unanimously approved to hire attorney Anita Wallace Thomas of the Nelson Mullins for potential litigation against Roman United.
The cost — $375 per hour for Thomas, $280 per hour for associates, and $135 per hour for paralegals.
The Roman United development at 5711 Jonesboro Road, Morrow, was to include two high-rise condo buildings, an office tower, an amphitheater, and underground parking.
Clayton County and Invest Clayton had agreements with Roman United for a $4 million small business incubator.
Clayton County paid $559,000 to Roman United for schematic designs and later demanded that money back.
Roman United turned in a serious of three “PowerPoint type” documents (many of which were duplicate pages) after being paid the $559,000.
The Clayton County Commission and Invest Clayton ended their agreements with Roman United in May.
In an April County Commission meeting, Roman United’s Jacques Roman came before the board with commissioners who were demanding answers about the botched project.
“You all need to give us our $559,000 back tonight, not tomorrow night, not any other night,” Commissioner Alieka Anderson said to Jacques Roman during the April meeting. “I called you here because I want the money paid back to the taxpayers of Clayton County. It’s time for us to move forward…This presentation is terrible; it’s pathetic, and that’s why I brought you here tonight because I’m gonna tell it like it is. I want to know where is the money? When are you going to write us a check? And when are you going to give us our money back?”
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