Atlanta mayoral race: Bottoms campaign disclosures under scrutiny

The head of the state’s ethics commission said on Wednesday that his agency was investigating Atlanta mayoral candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms’ failure to report exactly who has been paid by her campaign.

Bottoms’ campaign disclosures lists several lump sum payments of $5,000 or more to “campaign staff.” The payments total more than $180,000. According to state law anyone receving more than $100 should be identified in the reports. Bottoms has called the problem a bookkeeping error and said her campaign would amend the reports.

“The (Georgia Government Transparency and) Campaign Finance Commission is aware of the concern and is investigating it and cannot comment further,” said Stefan Ritter, executive director of the and commission, adding that the agency is also looking at other issues in the Atlanta mayor’s race.