Metro Atlanta Executive Caught in Child Sex Sting in Alabama

By Scott Bernarde

A metro Atlanta CEO is facing charges of soliciting sex from a minor after he was caught in a sting in Alabama late last week.

Michael Lee Graue, 58, of Lawrenceville, was arrested Friday, May 2, in Hartford, Ala., at a local restaurant, where he arrived to have sex with what he thought was a 14-year-old girl, Dothan First reported.

Graue was the Southern region CEO for Tenet Healthcare Corp., but was fired by Tenet after the incident, the Atlanta Business Chronicle reported. Tenet, based in Dallas, Texas, operates several hospitals in metro Atlanta, including the Atlanta Medical Center and North Fulton Hospital.

Graue was released from the Geneva County Jail on Monday after posting a $100,000 bond. He is charged with electronic soliciting of a child and travelling to meet a child for unlawful sex acts, the Opp, Ala., News reported.

Graue allegedly made contact online with the “14-year-old” to meet in Hartford, and stayed two nights at a Dothan, Ala., motel nearby until Friday. Hartford Police were alerted of the meeting by perverted-justic.com, which operates a fake website where “minors” are available for sex.

Graue faces 20 years in prison for each charge.