Politics
Politics

Georgia GOP settles discrimination lawsuit

Georgia Republican Party Chairman John Watson

Credit: HANDOUT

Credit: HANDOUT

Georgia Republican Party Chairman John Watson
By James Salzer
Oct 6, 2017

Georgia's Republican Party has settled a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by one of its former employees.

Details of the settlement were not released, but state GOP Chairman John Watson confirmed that the three-year legal fight was over.

Lawyers for Qiana Keith did not immediately comment on the settlement.

Keith claimed in the lawsuit that she was fired after complaining to her superiors about her co-workers' behavior and sought damages and lost wages under the federal Civil Rights Act.

The 2014 lawsuit contributed to the state GOP's troubles attracting donors amid mounting legal bills.

For more details on the case, check out our story on myajc.com.

About the Author

James Salzer has covered state government and politics in Georgia since 1990. He previously covered politics and government in Texas and Florida. He specializes in government finance, budgets, taxes, campaign finance, ethics and legislative history

Follow James Salzer on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

With the closure of the labor and delivery unit in St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital in Lavonia, expectant mothers will instead be directed to deliver at St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens, about 45 miles away. (Photo Illustration / Getty Images)

Credit: Getty Images

Medicaid cuts ahead prompt Lavonia hospital to shutter childbirth unit

St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital was already struggling. Funding cuts from Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act tipped the scales.

LISTEN

Two major announcements shake up the race for governor in Georgia

The Politically Georgia team discuss two seismic shakeups to the governor's race: Geoff Duncan and Brad Raffensperger.

OPINION

US House Republicans stop time — again — to avoid votes on Trump’s tariffs

Under federal law, once a president declares an emergency and institutes tariffs, Congress can quickly force repeal votes, with action required in 15 days.

The Latest

Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (seen here at a Georgia Chamber Congressional Luncheon in August), announced he'd be running for governor, Wednesday Sept. 17, 2025. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

LISTEN

Two major announcements shake up the race for governor in Georgia

OPINION

US House Republicans stop time — again — to avoid votes on Trump’s tariffs

Medicaid cuts ahead prompt Lavonia hospital to shutter childbirth unit

Featured

Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com

Police abandoned area where 8-year-old was shot, detective testifies

The testimony came as trial began for Julian Conley, the man accused of fatally shooting the child near the burned-down Wendy’s where Rayshard Brooks was killed weeks earlier.

Emory giving free tuition to students from families making under $200,000

Starting next academic year, Emory University will be tuition-free for undergraduates whose families earn less than $200,000, a move that could help hundreds of students.

Weekend Predictions: Another winning weekend for Falcons, Georgia Tech?

Weekend Predictions is off to a hot start. But will wins by the Atlanta Falcons, Georgia Tech and Georgia State keep this streak alive?