A member of the Clayton County Commission was stripped of her title on Monday as part of an official sanction after her claims of being slipped the date rape drug at a Morrow bar were contradicted by a police investigation and video that appeared to show her consume at least five alcoholic drinks before losing consciousness.
The Clayton County Commission unanimously voted to sanction Commissioner Felicia Franklin and strip her from the vice chairman position, The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported. Franklin did not attend the meeting or participate in the vote.
In a Facebook post made before the vote, Franklin suggested the sanction was a calculated move by her political opponents, and claimed she did not want to “haggle” over the punishment because her term as vice-chair was scheduled to conclude at the end of 2023.
The sanction came after Franklin was found unconscious at the 404 Sports Bar & Grill on September 29 by an off-duty police officer, and reportedly “vomited a clear, green liquid” after being roused. After she was ushered into an ambulance, police claim Franklin subsequently became “combative” with the paramedics and attempted to strike one. The ambulance was eventually pulled over so Franklin could be restrained en route to the hospital.
On October 1, Franklin claimed on social media that medical professionals concluded the politician was given an alcoholic beverage spiked with GHB, the date rape drug. She claimed to have no memory of the ambulance ride, pledged to work with law enforcement, and promised to use her public position to prevent future crimes.
By the end of last week, Franklin’s story had been heavily contradicted by the Morrow Police Department, which subpoenaed the hospital where Franklin received treatment. Police learned the politician refused blood work, but reported that a urinalysis was completed. It determined Franklin had zero GHB in her system, but it did find cannabinoids.
Morrow Police Sergeant Scott Steward also described surveillance video from the bar that showed Franklin consume around four drinks, “then a swig of beer.” One of those drinks, Steward later added, was a “nine-ounce pour” of wine. A normal pour is about five ounces of wine.
Franklin has maintained that she was slipped a drug at the local establishment, and surrogates have claimed the cannabinoids, which can be evidence of marijuana use, is evidence her drink was spiked.
The commissioner rebuked calls for her resignation during a meeting of the Clayton County Commission last Tuesday, declaring she would only resign from her current role if she wins her race for Chair of the Board of Commissioners.
In her Monday post, Franklin claimed losing her vice chair role “will free up more of my time” to her next campaign.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Georgia Star News and a reporter for the Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Commissioner Felicia Franklin” by Felicia Franklin.
