A bipartisan coalition announced its support for legislation Thursday that would subject law enforcement and district attorneys to more scrutiny when they seize property during investigations.
House Bill 1 is a first step in what should become a comprehensive overhaul of the state's civil forfeiture system, said members of six groups that make up Georgians for Forfeiture Reform. The bill, sponsored by Wendell Willard, R-Sandy Springs, would require agencies that receive cars, cash and other property to send detailed reports describing what was forfeited and how it was used. It would also place tighter controls on how district attorneys administer their proceeds.
“It does not go as far as we want it to go, but it does raise the reporting requirement here in Georgia,” said Joel Foster, a coordinator with Americans for Prosperity Georgia.
HB 1 stalled during last year’s legislative session, but picked up steam after complaints that forfeiture proceeds were being misused. An Atlanta Journal-Constitution investigation found Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard used his funds for things like tickets to balls and sports events, a private movie screening, and a and high-tech surveillance system for his home.
Other coalition members include Common Cause of Georgia, the ACLU of Georgia, Atlanta Tea Party, Southern Center for Human Rights, and the Institute for Justice. The group says it represents 200,000 Georgians. Its website is http://protectthepeachstate.com/.
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