Former State Employees, Contractors Plead Guilty to RICO, Conspiracy charges in Contract Fraud Case

DEKALB COUNTY - On January 12, 2026, Defendants Corey Alston and Quinton Tate pled guilty and were sentenced in connection to their roles in the execution of multiple fraudulent contracts impacting the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Former DCA employees Shawn Williams and Toyao Andrews previously pled guilty and were sentenced on December 18, 2025.

According to the investigation:

Fraudulent Contracts for Duplicative Cleaning Services

Between 2017 and 2019, former DCA HAD Director Shawn Williams and former DCA employee Toyao Andrews, who is Williams' cousin, initiated a criminal RICO conspiracy to defraud DCA by taking and receiving money from DCA by using Williams' position to create and approve contracts for cleaning services for a DCA office which was duplicative of services provided by the existing landlord. Williams and Andrews conspired to contract DCA with "Polished Resources, LLC", a company owned and operated by Andrews and other members of their families. Ultimately, Andrews and Williams exploited Williams' procurement authority granted by DCA to unlawfully take $64,170.

Fraudulent Contract for Development of Non-Existent Software

In 2019, Corey Alston expanded and led the criminal RICO conspiracy to defraud DCA by unlawfully taking and receiving money from DCA for a non-existent web product, providing false statements to DCA leadership, and paying bribes to State employees. Alston conspired with Williams using her procurement authority to enter and approve a contract for the development of a web product and to falsely affirm the completion, delivery, and use of the non-existent web product.

Alston conspired with Andrews to obtain authorization of IT Professional Network, Inc. ("ITPN") as an authorized State vendor and to draft, submit, and obtain payment of ITPN invoices from DCA. Alston furthered the conspiracy by using Andrews' cleaning company to funnel bribes to Williams and Andrews. Alston brought Quinton Tate into the conspiracy for his knowledge and expertise in developing the web product. Once the company owned and controlled by Alston was denied recognition as an authorized vendor, the conspirators used Tate'S business, ITPN, as the contracting party through which the funds taken from the State were funneled. The contract with ITPN ultimately resulted in a loss to DCA of $120,000.

DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Courtney L. Johnson presided over the case, accepted the defendants' pleas, and sentenced the defendants to the following:

Shawn Williams

Williams, 62, pled guilty to one count of Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act and was sentenced to 15 years of probation. She was additionally ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $104,170 and complete 400 hours of community service. Williams was additionally barred from seeking employment with government agencies or any position that would give her access to public funds. Williams will receive treatment under the First Offender Act if she successfully completes the terms of her sentence.

Toyao Andrews

Andrews, 52, pled guilty to one count of Violation of Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act and was sentenced to 20 years to serve 2 in custody, with the custodial portion suspended. She was additionally ordered to pay $50,000 in restitution, complete 500 hours of community service, and pay a $10,000 fine. Andrews was additionally barred from seeking employment with government agencies or any position that would give her access to public funds. Andrews will receive treatment under the First Offender Act if she successfully completes the terms of her sentence.

Corey Alston

Alston, 48, pled guilty to one count of Violation of Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act and was sentenced to 20 years to serve 3 in custody. He was additionally ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $30,000. Alston was additionally barred from seeking employment with government agencies or any position that would give her access to public funds.

Quinton Tate

Tate, 44, pled guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Defraud the State or Political Subdivision and was sentenced to 5 years of probation. He was additionally ordered to complete 250 hours of community service and pay a $5,000 fine. Tate was additionally barred from government employment, government contracting, involvement in any U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-related programs, or any position that would give him access to public funds. Tate will receive treatment under the First Offender Act if he successfully completes the terms of his sentence.

The case was investigated by the Georgia Office of the State Inspector with assistance from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and prosecuted by the DeKalb County District Attorney's Anti-Corruption Unit. OIG thanks DCA and the DeKalb County District Attorney's office for their assistance in investigating and prosecuting the case.