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DEL.ICIO.USHank Johnson’s answer: The big rent checks were needed to catch up on the times he couldn’t pay
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A spokeswoman for U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Decatur) says a Republican web site is mischaracterizing rent payments by Johnson’s campaign to his own law firm.
As posted earlier today,, the web site Majority Accountability Project said it had found that Johnson “pays more in rent for his campaign office than any other member of Georgia’s Congressional delegation, including the Peach State’s two U.S. Senators — a distinction made more dubious by the fact Johnson’s landlord is the law firm that bears his name.”
Here’s what Deb McGhee Speights, spokewoman for Johnson, sent us in an e-mail:
“The $1,500 paid by the campaign represented the fair market value of the leased space as required by law.
“Johnson and Johnson Law Group leased space from the property owner and subleased temporary space to the campaign. The campaign payment reflected in April 2007 was a good faith effort to catch up rent which was in arrears.
“As you will recall Hank’s campaign was a grassroots effort that was won with comparatively little money. As a challenger to a sitting member, it is unfair to compare Hank’s campaign expenses to those of incumbents - that’s like comparing apples to oranges.”
Speights said that while the check from the Johnson campaign was written to the Johnson law firm, that sum was then handed over to the property owner — who was not Johnson.
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Comments
By Halifax
April 3, 2008 2:18 AM | Link to this
Hank is an honest guy. The story sounds straightforward.
By judy
April 3, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this
It sounds like he should be checked out farther.
By NICK
April 3, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
Oh look……Another Black Atlanta politican stealing our tax dollars so that he can look like a “pimp”.
Just give the story another few days and I am sure more improprieties will surface and good ‘ol Hank will then pull out his “Race Card”, I mean his “get out of jail free card” and claim to be a VICTIM (they always are) of racism………
By dave s
April 3, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
That guy is a lawyer ??? Him and John Lewis needs to do another semester in speech school-It is embarrasing to see those 2 morons get interviewed on tv and then the caption pops up that they are from Ga.What are you people thinking????
By adon
April 3, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
It sounds to me like this black man has learn something from a white politician.
I think it was a wise move. As long as the rent is usual and customary for that area and it is paid to a business, there should be no issue. Besides, why would he pay someone else? Duh!!!!!
By Drew
April 3, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
” Him and John Lewis ” Looks like you need to join them as well dave s.
By hotlanta
April 3, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
Excuse who is claiming being a victim more the Hillary “Whining” Clinton. Oops my bag she slipped up and lied about going into enemy fire while men/women deal with it everyday. All she got was a slap on the wrist while folks are all over Rev. Wright. Doesn’t this U.S. of A gurantees us Freedom of Speech or does it only applies to white folks. You need to stop playing the race card.
By GAConservative007
April 3, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
It looks like “Operation Chaos” is working out just fine. What is it with all the rancor on the left? Are you guys really gonna fight all the way to Denver? Sure, Hillary lied about sniper fire, and God knows what else. Sure, Jones and Johnson are corrupt. Sure Barry Obama goes to a racist hate filled church. I thought the Democrat party was going to walk away with total victory this election cycle. What gives?
By Corey
April 3, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
“Him and John Lewis needs”
Dave S, you’re kidding, right. Beginning a sentence with an objective case pronoun as the subject. Using a singular verb with a compound subject. Where did you go to school? John Lewis suffers from a speech impediment because on Bloody Sunday he endured a fractured skull. Yes, does Selma Alabama ring a bell?
By DK
April 3, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this
It’s incredibly disheartening to read how many bloggers turn this into a matter of race when that isn’t even relevant. Here’s just a few samples of the ignorance that tears us apart.
“Another Black Atlanta politic[i]an stealing our tax dollars so that he can look like a “pimp”.”
“It sounds to me like this black man has learn something from a white politician”
I don’t know if Rep. Johnson has actually done anything wrong, but I’m not going to judge his guilt or innocent of corruption based on the color of skin, nor am I willing to give him a pass (if he’s guilty) because of the color of his skin.
We can’t get to the future by holding on to the past!
By DunwoodyDan
April 3, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
Is this really a story? Slow news day.
By atlanta family
April 4, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this
it’s true that Johnson did run a grass roots campaign. but it’s also true that many people just wanted mckinney out of there. and it’s also true that big time developers in his previous district donated to him heavely.
i agree that race should not even be relevant, but since so many people are pointing it out, then i guess it is relevant.
go with what the people say and think. if they bring it up, then it’s relevant.
By atlanta family native
April 4, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this
Hotlanta,
This has nothing to do with Hillary Clinton, but since you brought it up.
to say that Hillary got a “slap on the wrist” from the bosnia story or from any other issue is grossly incorrect and just plain ignorant.
Heard anyone call her a *itch lately? I have, just this morning.
Give me a break.
Stop playing the victim, period!
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May 4, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this
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