Carolyn Freeman, also known as the "BirdLady" for her dedication to the Atlanta Falcons, has entered a plea of not guilty to a charge of theft by deception. This follows accusations that she scammed Kansas City Chiefs fans out of more than $14,000 for a tailgate party that never took place, according to FOX 5 Atlanta. Freeman, amidst the turmoil, waived her formal arraignment with a final plea hearing scheduled for July 7.
Allegations surfaced when Tamira Southwood, a representative of a Chiefs' fan group, reported to Atlanta police that her contingent raised money for a comprehensive game day event, which Freeman purportedly failed to deliver on. On the day of the said event, Freeman, who was featured in media outlets and even the NFL and Apple Super Bowl commercial, cited hospitalization but assured her ability to provide services later. The services, however, never materialized, leaving fans stranded and leading to the filing of a fraud report on October 7, as covered by Atlanta News First.
According to the indictment by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, Freeman not only promised Chiefs fans a catered tailgate party that she allegedly had no intention of organizing but also has been accused of similar scams in the past, including with a Seattle Seahawks fan club in 2017. "She's guilty. She's very guilty," said Jerry Peterson on Atlanta News First, a fan who voiced his sentiments outside the courtroom.
Moreover, Freeman claimed that the funds raised would in part assist her nonprofit, Birdlady Cares Inc., an organization that claims to serve children impacted by abuse and domestic violence. Freeman, once celebrated as a Bud Light NFL Super Fan and showcased on an Equifax billboard, found her image removed by the credit bureau following inquiries related to these allegations. The absence of Freeman on the day of the event was explained with tales of hospital visits and police incidents. Catherine Baskett, another Chiefs fan, lamented the ordeal, stating, "It's the principle of it, and she needs to be held accountable for what she’s doing, and has gotten away with. It’s pathetic, actually," -- her words echo the frustration felt by many, as reported by Atlanta News First.
While Freeman bonded out for $2,500 and skipped the preliminary hearing on November 27, the Atlanta Police Department made multiple attempts to reach her, including welfare checks at her residence, voicemail messages, and reaching out to family members. Despite these efforts, Freeman remained elusive, leading to her eventual arrest on an active warrant.
