A Georgia lawyer is denying allegations that his client, now a former advisor for the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at Fort Valley State University, was involved in pimping out pledges to people in positions of power.
Attorney Adrian Patrick is representing Alecia Johnson, a former employee at Fort Valley State University who resigned earlier in April as the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and the University System of Georgia look into allegations of hazing and sexual misconduct “involving current and former members” of Alpha Kappa Alpha, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
Johnson was an advisor to the sorority and an assistant to the president.
Patrick told multiple news outlets that Johnson’s resignation was not an admission of guilt and that his client’s life was “turned upside down” by constantly being accused of being a “pimp” and a “madam.”
“She’s not a pimp, and she’s not a madam — none of that. She’s not guilty. She did not do anything,” he told WSB-TV on Monday. Patrick also questioned that pledges would “sell” their bodies to join the sorority and said such accusations are “inconsistent with the reputation” of the sorority.
The sorority echoed those thoughts in its statement.
These allegations are in no way representative of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s 110-year service-based mission or its nearly 300,000 members. We condemn these allegations in the strongest possible terms. We remain dedicated to our mission to encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, promote unity, alleviate problems concerning girls and women, create opportunities for them to pursue higher education and be of service to millions of people around the world annually.
Patrick also said he told Johnson she shouldn’t have resigned because it would be used as proof of guilt.
Speaking to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Patrick said he understood why Johnson resigned, however.
“You don’t want to go to work every day with people saying you are a madam,” he said. “She’s been demonized by social media, but not one piece of evidence has shown what’s happening.”
Patrick also told WMAZ Johnson is cooperating with the GBI investigation and that her life is “turned upside down.”
“She worked at the university [for] almost 14 years doing a great job with no disciplinary action, anything like that,” he said.
The online magazine Rolling Out reported, citing several anonymous sources, that the investigation focuses on a sex ring involving pledges, and local businessmen and politicians, i.e. prostitution.
Law&Crime reached out to Patrick for comment.
[Image via WSB-TV screengrab]
Follow Law&Crime:
