Former state Sen. Chip Rogers on Saturday confirmed our report that he was let go from Georgia Public Broadcasting. His high-paying gig there had been the source of controversy from critics who said his hire smacked of political cronyism.
"I enjoyed my time with GPB," Rogers said in a statement. "Our show had great ratings and my blog was the most widely read on the site. I look forward to my next challenge and wish the best for everyone at GPB."
Rogers, a Woodstock Republican, was elected to the Legislature in 2002 and rose to be one of the Senate's most visible GOP leaders. He resigned in December 2012 after some high-profile missteps to take what he called a "dream" job with GPB that built on his background as a former television and radio reporter.
Amid criticism from GPB donors and employees - one even resigned in protest - Rogers settled into the role as the director of the station's Georgia Works initiative where he posted frequent blogs about economic development programs. He earned a taxpayer-funded salary of $150,000 for his GPB work while holding down a side job as the government affairs director for the Asian American Hotel Owners Association.
He wouldn't say what his "next challenge" is but the hotel group still lists him as an employee. Click here for the full story on Rogers' short-lived tenure with the station.
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