Wharton Wants 'Poison' out of General Services Department

Memphis Mayor A C Wharton is vowing to root out the "poison" of corruption from the city's General Services Department no matter how long it takes.

Wharton plans to get an update on the progress of a five month investigation into the department's operations.

A C Wharton's only has been in office for nine months but, it could be incidents that have occurred years before that might be encompassed in the ever-widening investigation of the city's general services department.

He's not a doctor but, Memphis Mayor A C Wharton's diagnostic appraisal does seem to have application to his administration's widening investigation into the operations of the embattled city General Services Department.

In an interview with Fox 13 News Wednesday afternoon Wharton said he expect to receive an update from CAO George Little and Special Advisor, Rick Masson, on just how deep alleged corruption may have run. But, Wharton asserts the final results from the now nearly 5 month probe won't be forthcoming soon.

"We've got so many investigations going on down there. It's basically a fulltime job," said Wharton.

While the results of an earlier audit centered on possible wrong-doing in the city's Fleet Service's branch, it's becoming obvious the depth and scope of the investigation is becoming a rigorous process.

But, two areas of major concern deal with the allegations of wide-spread nepotism in the department and the air of invincibility and disregard some higher ranking managers conveyed in the eyes of their employees.

"It appears to me that this sort of started at the top and that's really tragic. Because when it starts at the top that becomes the gold standard as to how you get ahead in this organization," said Wharton. "The wrong-doing becomes a bit incestuous. And you're afraid to speak out because your uncle whoever managed to get you in here. So, it's hard to break that tight-knot circle."

But, Wharton vows to root out the "poison" in the department- no matter how long it takes. He doesn't have to be a doctor to do that either.