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Help wanted: Ethics commission needs a new chief

Former state ethics commission director Holly LaBerge, far left, was fired Nov. 8 after a Fulton County judge called her “dishonest and non-transparent” in an order that also fined her $10,000 for withholding a potential piece of evidence in a civil lawsuit filed by her predecessor. LaBerge is the fourth ethics director in four years. BRANT SANDERLIN /BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM
Former state ethics commission director Holly LaBerge, far left, was fired Nov. 8 after a Fulton County judge called her “dishonest and non-transparent” in an order that also fined her $10,000 for withholding a potential piece of evidence in a civil lawsuit filed by her predecessor. LaBerge is the fourth ethics director in four years. BRANT SANDERLIN /BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM
Sept 15, 2014

The state ethics commission is beginning its second week without an executive secretary and commissioners are keeping mum on just when they might replace former chief Holly LaBerge.

The commission fired LaBerge — “for cause” — last week after a superior court judge called her “dishonest and non-transparent.” Now they have to find someone interested in taking over a commission in crisis even as lawmakers and both major gubernatorial candidates have pledge to make major changes.

In seeking applicants, Georgia’s commissioners might do well to look at the example set elsewhere.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution took a look at the top officials of ethics commissions in 10 southern states. To find out what the newspaper discovered, read more at MyAJC.com.

About the Author

Joyner is the deputy politics editor. He has been with the AJC since 2010 as a member of the investigations and politics team.

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