DeKalb wiretap notices causing consternation | www.ajc.com

Numerous people across metro Atlanta have recently received cryptic form letters informing them that they were picked up on a wiretap while speaking with DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis or political consultant Kevin Ross.

The eavesdropping of the two men’s cellphones occurred sometime after Dec. 3 and ended in January, around the time investigators searched Ellis’ home and Ross’ office on Jan. 7.

Jeff Dickerson, a communications consultant who works for politicians and governments, received such a letter and said he has “talked to probably a dozen more people who’ve gotten them.”

“If you’ve talked with them, then your calls were intercepted,” said Dickerson, who said he works pro bono for Ellis and criticizes the sweeping scope of the probe. “I find it reprehensible and unconscionable. It’s a gestapo tactic. We have a new district attorney in DeKalb, and this is his way of operating.”

Erik Burton, a spokesman for District Attorney Robert James, said the letters were sent out pursuant to a federal law that “requires us to notify people whose communications were intercepted.”

He declined to say how many letters were sent out or how many conversations were recorded. He said the letters were mailed late last month and the investigation is ongoing.

The disclosure reveals a far wider eavesdropping campaign of DeKalb’s top political figures than was previously known.

The one-page letter does not refer specifically to the case being investigated. It says texts and conversations to and from the “Target Telephones” were intercepted and “all original recordings have been sealed by order of a Superior Court Judge.”

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