Schools

Grady Football Case: APS AD Interfered with Investigation

Investigation report notes that Atlanta Public Schools' Athletic Director Jeff Beggs and Grady head football coach Ronnie Millen knowingly or unknowingly interfered with the investigation of alleged address fraud and illegal recruiting at Grady High.

The results of the probe showed that a quarter of the squad used fake addresses to play for the Grey Knights and attend the school this past fall.

In at least one case, a player never even attended classes.

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The investigation, which stemmed from an anonymous written complaint to the school district in early December, found that 14 students used fraudulent addresses to enroll into Grady. 

No penalties have been announced, but the school district is considering filing civil and criminal charges, as the investigation is still ongoing.

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Attached here is the 23-page report detailing the findings of the 13 allegations. Of note is the report's conclusion with reference to then-Grady coach Ronnie Millen and APS Athletic Director Jeff Beggs. 

Here is the conclusion at the end of the report:

During the interviews, it became apparent that there were some parents were more knowledgeable than others. One parent even defined it as a “clique” that met regularly in the parking lot after games and after practices. However, during interviews the parents could barely recall each other’s names and indicated little interaction with other parents. All parents and students denied coming to Grady High School for football. A number of students on the football team had played football together for multiple years. The parents indicated that they did not know each other. However, the students clearly recalled who they had played football together with at the recreational level.

During the interviews some parents indicated that the writer of the complaint appeared to be a parent who was disgruntled over playing time. Their answers were similar to an answer given by Coach Millen on November 12 wherein he indicated that the person making the complaint was disgruntled about playing time.

There are 14 students on the football team confirmed with address fraud. There are a number of other students still currently under investigation. The number of students playing on the football team from outside of the feeder pattern should have raised a red flag for the coaching staff and athletic director given the school no longer has a magnet program and has not accepted general administrative transfers for several years.

Jeff Beggs and Coach Millen knowingly or unknowingly interfered with the investigation. Jeff Beggs failed to maintain the confidentiality of the complaint. Coach Millen hindered the investigation by speaking with parents and providing advance notice of pending actions. [Grady Athletic Director] Ms. [Kathleen] Washington should have verified information obtained by the registrar pursuant to directions given by Jeff Beggs which according to Jeff Beggs should have included some home visits.

There are three issues to be addressed with the Georgia High School Association which are:

  1. Students playing on team that are nonresidents and/or without bona fide moves;

  2. Football practice began earlier than allowed under Georgia High School Association rules;

  3. Student not enrolled at Grady permitted to practice with team before moving into zone;

  4. Students playing on the team not listed on the roster submitted to the Georgia High School Association.

  5. A copy of the report and relative documentation will be provided to the Georgia High School Association. 


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