George Atkins

George L. Atkins Jr. (July 10, 1941 – April 14, 2024) was an American politician, lobbyist and healthcare consultant. He served as the mayor of his hometown of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, from 1972 to 1975. Atkins was then elected Kentucky State Auditor in 1975, serving for one term from 1976 until 1980.

Biography Atkins was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, to George L. Atkins Sr. and Frances Shaver Atkins on July 10, 1941. His parents owned the family-run Atkins Dairy in Hopkinsville. He graduated from Hopkinsville High School in 1959. Atkins studied at the University of Kentucky, where he played basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats under Coach Adolph Rupp and received his bachelor's degree in 1963.

George Atkins pleaded guilty to mail fraud. He was sentenced by federal magistrate Judge Joseph Martin Hood to 24 weekends in prison, 400 hours of community service, and $10,000 in fines. The Humana corporation was fined $92,437 and apologized for its role in the scandal.

Atkins returned to the healthcare industry as a consultant based in Washington D.C.

George L. Atkins died on April 14, 2024, at the age of 82. He was survived by his wife, Donna Atkins, and three children.