The years-long external audit investigations of the Columbus Consolidated Government’s Finance Department after a backlog in the processing of business and alcohol license fees and occupational taxes — plus a subsequent criminal investigation — have cost the city approximately $1 million, according to information the Ledger-Enquirer obtained from CCG through a request under the Georgia Open Records Act and an estimate from the Muscogee County sheriff.
According to an emailed response from the city attorney’s office, CCG paid $456,221.40 to the Atlanta-based law firm Troutman Pepper for legal fees in 2023 and 2024 to investigate the Revenue Division of the Columbus Finance Department.
CCG paid an additional $323,264.73 to the forensic accounting firm Acuitas of Atlanta as part of the same investigation, the email says…