I-Team: Indicted bishop given promotions and huge raises by Clayton sheriff

by Dale Russell
Aired November 1, 2021
Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill has overseen nearly $80,000 in raises during the past three years for a controversial employee - Mitzi Bickers. Bicker’s raises along with job promotions leading to the title of Chief of Staff came after a federal grand jury indicted her for conspiracy to commit bribery.
Sheriff Hill himself is currently on suspension after a federal grand jury indicted him earlier this year for allegedly mistreating prisoners. Both have denied the charges against them and are heading to trial.
Back in 2016, long-time Atlanta pastor Bishop Mitzi Bickers opened up Clayton County Commission meetings with a prayer. It was part of her brand new job as an employee for her longtime friend Sheriff Victor Hill.
Personnel records show Bickers was hired as a corrections officer, even though she wasn't certified as a law enforcement officer. Hill paid her $37,708 a year.
"She was assigned to the jail, she dealt with the inmates," said former Clayton County Major Terry Evans.
Evans was a Major at the jail when Bickers was hired. He later had a falling out with Sheriff Victor Hill and says he was demoted and fired.
"With her being a new employee everybody was respectful and just did their jobs around here," said Evans.
But then, according to sheriff's office personnel records, 11 months later Sheriff Hill promoted Bickers to Chaplain and increased her pay by $10,000. Then, six months later, that rising star in the sheriff’s office faced a major career hurdle for someone working in law enforcement.
In 2018, a federal grand jury indicted Mitzi Bickers on conspiracy to accept bribes, accusing her of helping steer $17 million in contracts to two construction vendors who earlier pleaded guilty. E.R. Mitchell and Charlie Richards did work for the city of Atlanta where Bickers once worked under then-Mayor Kasim Reed. Bickers denied the charges and is going to trial.
Bishop Mitzi Bickers has been a high-profile and powerful behind-the-scenes political operative in Atlanta for years. Fast-talking and feisty, she helped Kasim Reed get elected mayor and then worked in his administration. She is still bishop of the Emmanuel Baptist church once pastored by her father.
But it was her taxpayer-funded job the I-Team was interested in. According to Clayton County Sheriff's Office's records, following her indictment on public corruption charges, Bickers was twice promoted by the Sheriff, and given 10 raises, nearly tripling her salary to more than $130,000.
"Would it surprise you if I told you she made $130,000?" the FOX 5 I-Team asked former Major Evans.
"That is amazing. Somebody needs to justify that and tell the citizens why," Evans responded.
The raises were sometimes simply increased, merit or cost of living, and sometimes came with job promotions. But once in 2020, Sheriff Hill gave Bickers a $30,000 raise with no promotion, according to county records. One month later, Sheriff Hill promoted Bickers to his Chief of staff - with another $21,000 raise, according to county records.
"Would this be surprising to the taxpayers?" FOX 5 asked Clark Cunningham.
"Well of course it should be," he responded.
Clark Cunningham is a Georgia State professor and expert on legal ethics. He found Bicker’s promotion to chief of staff while facing a criminal indictment to be rather unusual.
"What kind of due diligence did he do to make sure he wasn’t hiring a criminal," Cunningham asked.
He has followed Mitzi Bicker’s role in the still-unfolding federal corruption investigation in Atlanta and Clayton County for several years. He said the raises and promotions are troubling.
"This may be just a case of a mixture of incompetence and sort of nepotism, giving public money to a friend for no particularly good reason. But, as I say, I would be concerned there’s something deeper going on," said Cunningham.
Bickers declined to comment on our story. She has denied the charges against her and is going to trial in January.
The FOX 5 I-Team examined her performance reviews. They are studded with 5-star evaluations and glowing praise for her work. But at least one former sheriff's office employee doesn't understand how someone can earn nearly $80,000 in raises after being indicted on public corruption charges.
"Does it make you mad?" FOX 5 asked former Major Evans.
"Absolutely. And guys, females who are out there busting their butt, putting their lives on the lie. this person can come in and make this kind of money doing what," Evans responded
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[@anniejones1692]

You can't play with GOD and get away with it. There is no woman Bishop or PASTOR anywhere in the Bible from GENESIS to REVELATION.

[@handsomet5093]

Bring it outtt!!!!!

[@sherrykendrick1765]

It's all about the money. But your right.

[@noonktie5711]

She was evil asf when I was locked up in that jail

[@kkcook3743]

You know a lot of books were taking out right?

[@sequillarochelle4044]

PLEASE SAY THAT AGAIN,not to mention, she is a lesbian living out of God's WILL AND WAY

[@michellew4737]

She’s not a pastor. She’s something else. 🤢

[@franciswillis1673]

How is she supposed to be a bishop and she threatens inmates in jail with violence and all the foul language. She’s definitely the devil.

[@sequillarochelle4044]

Biblical standard ain't no woman no bishop,especially NO LESBIANS living out of God's Will,WHATS WRONG with folks

[@celebritybarber3977]

This is a cold nasty world. I'm glad she's been sent to prison. Now it's Victor Hill turn. It's hard to believe in anything anymore.

[@Blackshuck51]

​@@sequillarochelle4044 amen

[@Blackshuck51]

She mocks God, witch is an abomination in the eyes of God

[@solomonessix6909]

Follow the money.

[@mechveteran01]

This is disgusting

[@nunzionapoli6325]

If Lori Lightfoot had a daughter.... ish.

[@tonidepaola6975]

Ha ha ya I see it.

[@michellew4737]

I thought that was Beetlejuice. 😂

[@evanr648]

Hahhahahaa literally clicked this cause I thought it was her hahahhahahhaha

[@caymanchristopher7014]

They may not be family but they are cut from the same cloth.

[@AlphakappaY]

This city of atlsnta needs s deep cleanse.. it's full of thiefs.

[@jamarismith6874]

Man I love it please keep exposing Victor Hill 💯💯💯

[@jimmer1047]

I wonder if the Bishop has a bigger $#@& than the police chief does? 🤔😂

[@mobbcreep956]

All those ppl who oversaw this..get them all out

[@hughbetcha436]

Must have been some cash under the table involved somewhere

[@nikoatl]

It you all only really knew what happens in this jail. I was incarcerated here for almost two years when I arrived January 1,2021 I was was walking strong and fine. On September 2021 I was jumped by several officers where as the broke my left leg in 14 places, and my left orbital eye socket. After which I was not even taken too the hospital until almost two weeks after incident. Please please please if you can avoid going to this place do so cause you may not make it out alive. Big facts

[@MichaelScreamMachineEvans]

Well that's what She's been doing since being ousted by the City Council

[@Lp-bm8tc]

It's all about that dollar dollar bill y'all. She just doing the same s*** that everybody else has been doing. They just haven't got caught yet.

[@markwatts2532]

Its a token race and LBGQVIP thing, theres thousands of jobs "invented" just for these ppl.

[@caymanchristopher7014]

When criminals run the system, they protect their own.

[@forwardobserver6441]

I’ve always wondered why a Protestant would wear a Roman collar..

[@sherrykendrick1765]

Protestant use to be part of the roman Catholic church but broke off from them 100's of yr.s ago. Not sure exactly when.

[@forwardobserver6441]

They broke away in about 1520 I think. Protestants usually hate anything that us papists do- I’ve also noticed more and more wearing liturgical vestments etc. But usually most protties don’t want anything Roman in their worship

[@robertphillips6296]

A High Ranking Sheriff’s Officer that is not a Certified Police Officer!?

[@godiswatching2342]

I wonder if MB ever gave a sermon on the love of money being the root of all evil.

[@GizmoMaltese]

Sometimes the children of pastors are the worst. If the pastor had weaknesses they see the pastor from the inside and think it's all a sham.

[@constitutionprotector3130]

It seems to me that no one should be surprised what Convict Hill did during his time as Sheriff. Maybe he and Convict Bickers could be housed in the same prison.

[@RedBud-71823]

I don't get it. Many honest people try to find a job and find a good opportunity but this is sickening

[@CameronLestagez]

this aged like fine wine

[@mwafrika4]

Victor Hill needs to go

[@davidthomas2921]

No Victor Hill needs to get back on the job, crime has gone rampant in Clayton County..

[@Selmafinest]

Naw stall him out.Hes helping entrap the others

[@davidthomas2921]

@@Selmafinest Ok..I have the same core values, if you commit a crime against me you will have hell to pay...

[@sophocles1198]

The old talking on the phone trick

[@marvin469]

Get smart lol

[@AlphakappaY]

Who ever this mitzi is. She needs to be and stay in prison.

[@tyronehayes1086]

It’s the fact that she started off praying 🤣

[@jimmer1047]

How many bull dagger, outrageous lesbian bishops are there!?!?

[@marcscotton944]

The Sheriff is an elected official by the people and has his own budget for his office/department and can promote and give raises for certain positions at his discretion period!!!

[@Sadiqi]

Welp he's goin to jail sooooo...

[@tracyshoemake9686]

Why didn't you report on voter fraud in Fulton county?

[@mrserveon4047]

There was no voter fraud just when the republicans tried to steal the vote damn fools get ya head out ya arse

[@veronicacrudup8604]

There was no fraud and you know that. Do you realize that all liars go to hell I guess that's where you want to be.

[@tracyshoemake9686]

@@veronicacrudup8604 If liars went to hell you and poopy pants Joe got problems

[@mrserveon4047]

@@veronicacrudup8604 right with trump the biggest liar

[@veronicacrudup8604]

@@tracyshoemake9686 trump the squatter is the one wearing depends. Couldn't do the show had to keep changing his diaper.

[@randycrager4074]

Women should not lead in the church! Very well brought to light in GODS Word!

[@jgreen4715]

When are they gonna hold the candy lickers of the world accountable?

[@jib2355]

A thief and a false prophet in a baptist corrupt church that lies to their members only qutoing john 3:16

[@marvin469]

A pastor ? They letting anybody be a pastor.

[@russellopenshaw8975]

Should throw the Key away

[@ramblinralph7609]

Gee whiz, Clayton County council sure doesn't look very diverse, does it?

[@princesspiplaysbass]

Well, they can serve their time together.

[@Godislove9273]

Saddening 😭. MB was my choir director years agooooo.

[@orinyellowhair8278]

NEPOTISM AT IT'S BEST!!! HE SAID IT BEST, "MB RECEIVED BIG PAY RAISES FOR DOING NOTHING!"

[@americanfighter646]

Finally, Amen❤️ this is happening all across the world with this people in businesses, Law Enforcement .... Etc you name they have been doing this scheme!! Look at the large amounts and the time frames these large amounts were given...

[@Mr.Atlanta850]

1st of all a woman cannot be a pastor, Or a Bishop. That's a Man's position. She can be a Missionary. A woman cannot have authority over a Man.

[@dawnatkinson7704]

And you worship a 'God' that thinks women are unclean?!

[@davidthomas2921]

It has been shown that, women shouldn't lead men..from the top of leadership, to the bottom. Women have destroyed the morals and values of man..From the beginning of time these facts have been proven..FROM EVE, TO NANCY PELOSI, AND THE REST OF THE FEMALE DICTATOR GANG..

[@sequillarochelle4044]

And not to mention, she practices being a lesbian with no intent to change since she has been one almost all her life,and she old now,,she is mocking God with her filth,and leading those that can be lead,straight to hell

[@Rythmortis]

All religions should be taxed.

[@sequillarochelle4044]

That ain't religion, that's Fake and all Blasphemy, true abomination

[@percywilliams394]

It's time to do a sweep of the prisons in this country and find out whose qualified to work their.

[@spandex7055]

Just another grifter waiting to play the race card.

[@bradr2142]

Wow this the home of mlk Things have changed in Atlanta. Get a raise after being indicted that's bold I wonder how all the city employees feel about this and the tax payers.

[@crinklecut3790]

She got 14 years federal

[@Blackshuck51]

Deuteronomy 22:5 women shall not wear mens clothing and men shall not wear womens

[@Caocao8888]

I love her hair! It’s so short, so butch!

[@micheleotero1516]

Wish they give me some 🤑🤑🤑🤑 money

[@kourtlandperry1698]

U definitely gave her some...of your tax money

[@drumhaver223]

Here's to crime!

[@medcastrophilip544]

She is probably riding the sheriff, if you know what I mean. Cause this is unreal and very uncalled for. Her 🐱 is probably made of gold.

[@ytjhhh]

Well well

[@1thegreat841]

Doubt it unreal

[@lilyrose7082]

As usual, the fox is running the hen house and the hens are giving him some ahh, favors for it 😂. This is happening all over the country! Criminals in law enforcement roles acting 🎭 like they’re clean 🧼

[@deeward729]

OMG

[@godlikenovauniverse1118]

Big case big boy 💩😭🤣😳