Four Plead Guilty in DeKalb County Corruption Case That Defrauded State of Nearly $200k
DEKALB COUNTY, GA – Four defendants have now pleaded guilty in a DeKalb County corruption case involving two contract schemes that defrauded the State of Georgia out of nearly $200,000, according to DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office.
District Attorney Sherry Boston announced that the final two defendants entered guilty pleas on Monday, January 12, 2026, closing out the case assigned to the office’s Anti-Corruption Unit.
RICO Plea and Prison Sentence
Corey Alston, 48, pleaded guilty to violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act for his role in deceiving the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA). DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Courtney L. Johnson sentenced Alston to 20 years, with three years to be served in custody. As part of the sentence, Alston is barred from working for any government agency or holding any position involving public funds. He was also ordered to pay $30,000 in restitution to the state. His sentence will run concurrently with a federal prison sentence in an unrelated case.
Probation for Co-Conspirator
Quinton Tate, 44, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the state. Judge Johnson sentenced Tate to five years of probation, imposed a $5,000 fine, and ordered 250 hours of community service. Tate is prohibited from government employment, government contracting, involvement in HUD-related programs, or any role with access to public funds. If he successfully completes probation, he will receive treatment under the First Offender Act.
Inside the Scheme
Alston and Tate were the last of four co-conspirators to resolve their cases. The others, Toyoa Andrews, 52, and Shawn Williams, 62, pleaded guilty in December.
Investigators determined that Williams served as director of DCA’s Housing Assistance Division from 2017 to 2019, while Andrews, her cousin, worked under her supervision. During that time, Williams and Andrews approved a cleaning contract for a DCA satellite office with a company owned by Andrews, even though cleaning services were already included through the building’s landlord. The state paid more than $64,000 under that contract.
In a second scheme, Alston sought to sell an online tool to DCA in 2019. When his company was rejected as a vendor, Alston, Andrews, and Tate agreed to route the contract through Tate’s company instead. Andrews submitted invoices totaling $120,000 for the online product, which DCA leadership paid after being told the tool was completed and in use. Investigators later determined the product was never created.
Earlier Sentences
Shawn Williams pleaded guilty to a RICO violation and received 15 years of probation, 400 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay $104,170 in restitution. She is also barred from future government employment or handling public funds.
Toyoa Andrews entered a non-negotiated guilty plea to a RICO charge and was sentenced to 20 years, with two years to serve. The custodial portion was suspended upon payment of $50,000 in restitution, completion of 500 hours of community service, and compliance with conditions barring her from government employment. She was also fined $10,000.
Prosecution and Investigation
The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Aldous McCrory, with assistance from District Attorney Investigator Joshua Duke and former investigator Allen Russell. The Office of the Inspector General conducted the initial investigation.
