College Park officials accused of attempted bribery, extortion, racketeering in new lawsuit 

A new lawsuit against the city of College Park and Council members Tracie Arnold and Joe Carn, who are being sued personally, alleges a pattern of corruption, fraud and racketeering. The suit alleges that College Park officials deliberately used the city s code enforcement powers to financially cripple the former owners of Chelsea Gardens Apartments, force the property into foreclosure and facilitate its redevelopment by a new owner who allegedly received preferential treatment from city officials. Filed on behalf of the former owners of Chelsea Gardens Apartments, the lawsuit describes an alleged “shakedown. The plaintiff, Chelsea Propco TIC I LLC and Chelsea Propco TIC II LLC, is seeking nearly $15 million in damages and possibly more under Georgia’s RICO statute, as well punitive damages and legal fees. Carn, Arnold, the city manager and city attorney did not return phone calls or email requesting comment. Attorneys for Chelsea Propco filed a lawsuit in Fulton County