Key figure in Atlanta City Hall bribery case pleads guilty

This collage, top, shows a brick thrown through a window at Elvin “E.R.” Mitchell Jr.’s home in southwest Atlanta in September 2015, Mitchell, right, and one of the dead rats left at his home in September 2015. SPECIAL

This collage, top, shows a brick thrown through a window at Elvin “E.R.” Mitchell Jr.’s home in southwest Atlanta in September 2015, Mitchell, right, and one of the dead rats left at his home in September 2015. SPECIAL

Prominent Atlanta contractor Elvin "E.R." Mitchell Jr. pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday for his role in a bribery and money laundering scheme involving city of Atlanta contracts.

Mitchell, 63, the principal of E.R. Mitchell Co., is expected to be a key witness in the investigation. Last week, federal authorities accused Mitchell of being part of conspiracy to pay more than $1 million in bribes over several years to win city contracts.

After the court appearance, Mitchell’s attorney Craig Gillen, said, “Mr. Mitchell made mistakes and he has admitted to those mistakes.”

Mitchell did not comment.

Charging documents filed in U.S. District Court in Atlanta say Mitchell conspired with someone in the construction industry to pay bribes to another unnamed person connected to the city. The documents say Mitchell believed some of the money would go to one or more city officials with influence over government contracts. The scheme allegedly occurred from 2010 to 2015.

Sentencing is expected at a later date.

Return to AJC.com for updates.

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