Politics
Politics

AG’s office pays $10,000 fine in ethics commission case

By Aaron Gould Sheinin
Sept 23, 2014

Attorney General Sam Olens’ office on Tuesday paid a $10,000 fine to Fulton County Superior Court, just ahead of a judge’s deadline.

Judge Ural Glanville on Monday ordered the AG’s office to pay by Tuesday or face a contempt of court charge. Olens’ team had asked the judge to delay the payment until after any potential appeal is decided. Glanville refused.

Glanville earlier this month sanctioned both the Attorney General’s Office and former state ethics commission director Holly LaBerge $10,000 each after it was revealed that LaBerge and Olens’ staff failed to turn over key records in a whistleblower lawsuit brought by LaBerge’s predecessor.

LaBerge, meanwhile, has filed notice with the Georgia Court of Appeals that she plans to challenge Glanville’s ruling, her attorney, Lee Parks, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. LaBerge was not required to pay the fine before that appeal is heard.

Olens’ office will also appeal, Olens spokeswoman Lauren Kane said.

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