Norcross City Hall.
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
MAY 9, 2025 | A contentious meeting of the Norcross City Council on Monday has raised eyebrows about operations of city government.
One concern is an alleged ethics violation by Mayor Craig Newton. In addition there was public discussion that a former city finance director has brought suit against two members of city government, the city manager and the city, about being fired.
As a result of Monday’s meeting, the city council voted 6-0 in an amended motion, to hire a special investigator to look into ethical concerns. The initial motion to hire the investigator was 5-1, with Councilman Josh Bare voting against it, while the four other council members (Marshall Cheek, Bruce Gaynor, Andrew Hixson and Matt Myers) and Newton voted for the hire. Newton usually does not vote except when there is a tie vote.
Most of this controversy stems from a lawsuit filed on Nov. 1, 2024, in federal court for the Northern District of Georgia by Paul Hanebuth who was the director of Finance and Administrative Services for the city at one time, and who currently resides in Mobile, Ala. He brought suit against the city, Newton, Councilwoman (at that time) Arlene Beckles and City Manager Eric Johnson.
In the lawsuit, Hanebuth maintains that he was fired for blowing the whistle on what he thought was a scheme to circumvent “applicable policies, procedures, rules, laws and other ordinances by funneling donations to the nonexistent ‘Mayor’s Special Fund.’” Hanebuth said he refused, saying that the City Council would have to approve the measure. Eventually checks to the city from two different entities, one private firm and one nonprofit, reportedly were returned to the senders. Hanebuth maintains that afterward, Newton and others began retaliating against him.
The lawsuit also includes other descriptions on how Hanebuth said he was mistreated by the city, and felt he was discriminated against. Hanebuth also alleges harassment by Ms. Beckles, currently a statehouse representative, and by Johnson. Hanebuth asked for a trial by jury, compensatory and punitive damages and reinstatement as an employee. No date has been set for a trial.
When former Mayor Bucky Johnson heard of the federal lawsuit this year, he filed an ethics complaint and asked city council to investigate the matter. The city eventually hired a special master, Jody Charles Campbell of Peachtree Corners, who completed his investigation, saying that Bucky Johnson had not filed his complaint in a timely manner, “and thus, this Ethics Complaint must be dismissed as untimely,” which was was completed by the special master on April 24, 2025. GwinnettForum filed and obtained a freedom of information request for the results of the completed special master results.
The special master’s report by Campbell to the city led the council at its meeting on May 5 to call for another investigation by a new special master on the ethics matter. The city’s law firm, Thompson and O’Brien, was asked to recommend a new special master, who should be selected by May 20. The second master’s report is expected after 45 days.
Newton sent this statement to GwinnettForum on Thursday morning:
“I’m aware of the recent false allegations being circulated. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon during election season for misinformation to be used as a tool to divide, distract, and mislead voters. I’ve always believed in leading with transparency and integrity—values I’ve upheld throughout my 25-plus years of service to this city.
“I welcome the adjudication process, which will confirm that neither I nor the city has engaged in any wrongdoing. I remain focused on the real issues that matter to our community and trust that the truth will speak for itself in time.”
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