Rick Thompson said he was "honored" Gov. Nathan Deal appointed him to the state ethics commission last month, but in a letter to the governor Thompson said he must refuse the position before ever being sworn in.
Thompson, who was known as a tough regulator when he served as the commission’s executive secretary in the 2000s, said an issue had arisen that questioned his eligibility to serve.
“While vetted extensively with my own legal team, the merits of the counter-argument are merely technical,” Thompson wrote in a letter to Deal, a copy of which was obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It is clear my acceptance of the appointment will cause friction.”
Thompson declined to comment Thursday. In a statement to the AJC, Deal said, “I understand his decision was made out of an abundance of caution and with the best interests of Georgians in mind.”
The eligibility question deals with Thompson’s private company, RTA Strategy, which provides disclosure services to candidates, elected officials and others regulated by the commission, now formally known as the Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission. Deal was among Thompson’s clients. RTA Strategy has been paid more than $250,000 by the governor and his political action committee for consulting and compliance work.
Thompson previously was registered to lobby the General Assembly on behalf of his company. State law says no one may be appointed to a commission that regulates a company the individual represented for one year after the person ends his lobbyist registration.
While it’s unclear whether Thompson’s company would be regulated by the commission, the concerns raised were enough to lead Thompson to refuse the appointment.
“I have come to the conclusion that any question in the minds of Georgians over my eligibility will only distract from the good work of the commissioners, executive secretary and staff,” he wrote. “Worse yet, my acceptance could cause future grief for you or your office.”
Deal appointed Thompson to replace Heath Garrett, who resigned in May, along with then-commission Chairwoman Hillary Stringfellow. Stringfellow was appointed by Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge. Ralston has yet to announce a successor for Stringfellow.
The commission is set to meet next week with only three of its five seats filled.
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