Columbus Settles Ticket Claim

Officials in the city of Columbus, Ga., recently voted to settle a claim filed by local promoter Mike Blackwell that accused a former civic center director of improperly removing concert tickets from the box office.

City councilors unanimously voted to pay Blackwell $18,000 Nov. 22, according to the Ledger-Enquirer, and Blackwell declined comment as bound by the terms of the settlement.

The promoter filed the claim in June alleging he was owed thousands from tickets taken by retired director Dale Hester. He cited an audit of ticket records that reportedly indicated that while Hester had been allotted a specific number of tickets, the actual number taken was “excessive.”

“Hester allegedly provided tickets to businesses he patronizes,” the audit report obtained by the Ledger-Enquirer noted.

“It is unknown whether Hester derived any personal benefit from the tickets provided to these businesses.”

Hester retired from his position in January, the paper said.