The AJC's Aaron Gould Sheinin broke the news first, but Dale Russell of WAGA snagged the only interview with Holly LaBerge, who last night went public with her accusations that, in 2012, she was threatened and cajoled by top aides to Gov. Nathan Deal to reduce or dismiss ethics complaints arising from Deal's 2010 campaign for governor.

LaBerge said her public production of a memo recounting the contact at the time was a matter of self-protection. "My reputation has been destroyed," she said. "I am toxic." Watch below:

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Austin Walters died from an overdose in 2021 after taking a Xanax pill laced with fentanyl, his father said. A new law named after Austin and aimed at preventing deaths from fentanyl has resulted in its first convictions in Georgia, prosecutors said. (Family photo)

Credit: Family photo