COLUMBUS, Ga. ( WRBL ) — A heated dispute between Columbus City Manager Isaiah Hugley and six city councilors has escalated, with both sides trading accusations of ethical misconduct and harassment.
At the center of the controversy is a $29,000 grant awarded to Hugley’s wife, State Farm Insurance agent Carolyn Hugley, in 2022 from federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. The conflict has drawn public attention as lawyers for each side have been trading threatening letters since April 18.
Hugley’s attorney, Scott Grubman of Atlanta-based Chastain & Grubman, LLP, defends his client’s handling of the grant, asserting that the process was transparent and followed multiple levels of independent review. In a letter dated April 28, addressed to Leslie Hartnett of FordHarrison, the Atlanta law firm representing the six councilors, Grubman argues that the council itself delegated the administration of ARP funds to the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce. Councilors Charmain Crabb, Glenn Davis, and Toyia Tucker, among others, voted in favor of the resolution.
Hughley letter to Six City Council Members Download
Because the administration of the funds was farmed out to the Chamber, Grubman questions whether Hugley was even required to notify the council…