Clayton News Daily

A former Morrow city manager, who was also a city councilman, has been indicted a third time in connection with a failed commercial project designed to bring in millions of tourist dollars.

John James Lampl, II, 46, was arrested in June on charges that he lied about Olde Towne Morrow, a now closed-down commercial development near Southlake Mall. Prosecutors also alleged that he conspired with others to avoid the contract-bid process.

Clayton County District Attorney Tracy Graham Lawson said the new indictment, returned Wednesday, addresses statute of limitations issues with the dates associated with the alleged crimes.

Lampl has a long history with Morrow. He served on the city council 20 years ago, worked as city manager, then as executive director of the Downtown Development Authority. He was again elected to the council in March 2010. Three months later, Lampl faced allegations of intimidation, and was removed from the council.

The 16 counts filed against him in June have been trimmed to eight. Wednesday's indictment includes conspiracy in restraint of free and open competition, perjury, and six counts of creating fire reports falsely showing businesses at Olde Towne Morrow had required sprinkler systems.

Lampl pleaded not guilty to a previous indictment, but will have to be arraigned on the new one. The new filing also means the case will not likely to go to trial until 2012. Lampl is out on $80,000 bond.