Audit questions payment of legal fees by ethics commission

Georgia’s state auditor has asked Attorney General Sam Olens’ office to investigate possible fraud related to the payment of former commission executive director Holly LaBerge’s legal fees through agency funds, according to a report released Wednesday.

The request for further investigation is part of a wide-ranging audit, requested by the commission, that found an agency unable to perform its statutory duties due to poor management, a lack of controls and a consistent level of in-fighting and litigation.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has reported on problems within the ethics commission, formally known as the Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission, for years. The audit released Wednesday is first official finding from the state, corroborating much of what had long been expected.