Fund tied to Casey Cagle hit up special interests before 2017 session

An "advocacy" fund set up by campaign staffers of Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle got busy after July 1, collecting millions of dollars in contributions from special-interest donors in a relatively short amount of time, according to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution review of IRS records.

The timing? The 2017 General Assembly session was only a few months away, and it was time to strike while the money was available. It didn't hurt that everybody at the Capitol knew that Cagle was going to run for governor in 2018.

Over the next six months, the fund received money from casino interests lobbying for gaming legislation and beer distributors in a long-running legislative turf battle with craft brewers.

It took checks from new-car dealers seeking to cut taxes on vehicles they lease, as well as a company wanting a tax break so owners of giant yachts might be enticed to use Georgia repair services.

Ethics watchdogs said it appeared that companies the fund was soliciting money from were trying to influence Cagle's decisions as Senate president. Cagle formally announced plans to run for governor on Sunday.

To read more about the Georgia Conservatives Fund and its pre-session fund-raising push, check out our story at myajc.com.

About the Author

Raffensperger sues to scrap fundraising laws he says favor Jones in governor’s race

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is challenging Georgia election laws he says give his Republican rival an advantage as they campaign for governor.

Firebrand state senator running for Marjorie Taylor Greene’s seat

State Sen. Colton Moore, R-Trenton, announced plans to seek the 14th District seat, although it wasn't clear whether he will run in a special election or in November.

State lawmaker charged with unemployment fraud

Authorities say State Rep. Sharon Henderson, while a candidate for the Georgia House in 2020, applied for federal pandemic unemployment benefits under false pretenses.

The Latest

Credit: TNS

Firebrand state senator running for Marjorie Taylor Greene’s seat

Raffensperger sues to scrap fundraising laws he says favor Jones in governor’s race

Who will replace Marjorie Taylor Greene in Congress?

Featured

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

When ICE takes breadwinners, it takes a toll on families ... and on the economy

For immigrant families, brushes with ICE can result in financial precarity that could have implications for the broader economy.

‘I’m a bad kid,’ he told himself. How Georgia’s special ed program failed one child.

Parents find that it's easy to get into the GNETS program, but in some districts, difficult to leave.

‘A lot of blame, but not enough action’: Atlanta leaders lack path to fix jail

Stakeholders across Atlanta and Fulton County grapple with a complex web of issues that contribute to overcrowding, crumbling structure.