Home > Political Insider > Archives > 2008 > December > 04 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USOf dog bones and burglars: Just another Thursday for State Ethics Commission
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Just when members of the State Ethics Commission think they’ve heard it all, here comes Thursday.
First, Rep. Sharon Beasley-Teague (D-Red Oak), was brought up on a complaint that she hasn’t fully disclosed how she has spent thousands of dollars in campaign contributions.
When the staff of the ethics commission asked for proof, they were given several receipts, according to my AJC colleague James Salzer.
Included on the receipts, according to the commission, were expenditures for a dog bone, dog food, and a lottery ticket. None of the items are considered by the commission to be necessary to help run a campaign or maintain an officeholder while they are serving in the General Assembly.
Her case was approved for a full investigation. You’ll remember that Beasley-Teague, a 15-year lawmaker just re-elected in November, collected more than $2,300 in mileage from the state last year, contending she took lengthy treks across Georgia.
In one case, she claimed mileage for driving 889 miles in one day —from Fairburn to Albany to Waycross to Savannah to Athens to Dillard and back to Fairburn.
Following Beasley-Teague on Thursday was state Rep. Roberta Abdul-Salaam (D-Riverdale), who allegedly owes $1,200 in late filing fees, and has yet to file numerous campaign disclosure reports.
Her excuse for at least some of the missing reports? Her home was ransacked by burglars and the reports have gone missing. With wastepaper (baled, office) selling for $90 a ton, you can understand why she might have been targeted.
Her case was approved for a full investigation
And on a more serious note, Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin on Thursday cleaned up one long-standing piece of ethics business in time for her last year in office.
The State Ethics Committee approved a consent order with Franklin to settle complaints that include allegations dating back to 2002, the year after she first won office.
Franklin agreed to a $5,750 fine for largely paperwork violations, including failing to fully explain some of her campaign’s expenditures. Franklin did not attend Thursday’s hearing.
Services »
Comments