Atlanta Unfiltered

State Rep. Paulette Rakestraw Braddock owes more than $36,000 in taxes, interest and penalties, the IRS says. But the debt will not affect her standing as a Georgia legislator. The debt for unpaid payroll taxes was incurred by the Paulding County lawmaker’s failed direct-mail marketing firm, but she said she couldn’t negotiate a settlement until the debt was rolled over to become her personal liability.

Managers of three nursing homes in Rome and Brunswick conspired to rip off Medicaid and Medicare for $30 million intended for patient care, federal prosecutors said today. Continuing food shortages were so severe that employees used their own money to buy groceries so patients could  eat, investigators said. George and Rhonda Houser, the couple that ran the homes, allegedly diverted cash to buy Mercedes-Benz cars for themselves and a $1.3 home in Atlanta for Houser’s ex-wife. The homes were ordered closed in 2007.