Kalberman ethics case to cost state over $1 million

The state will pay $1.15 million to former ethics commission director Stacey Kalberman and her attorneys in a final settlement signed Wednesday.

The judgment, obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, stems from Kalberman's April victory in a lawsuit that claimed she was forced from her job for investigating Nathan Deal's 2010 campaign for governor.

The amount — nearly equal to the commission’s $1.3 million annual budget — was the result of a jury verdict that awarded Kalberman $700,000 in damages plus court costs and attorneys fees. The state signed off on the deal Wednesday.

Under the terms, Kalberman is to receive $725,111.79, and Thrasher Liss & Smith will be paid $424,881.21.

The Kalberman verdict is one of three cases involving the commission and its Deal investigation that could be decided in the next several months — all before November’s election.

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Aaron Gould Sheinin

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