[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6483404,"mediaKeyId","5796915-b4738d16b4dd7e8ab9ab6bba0f313161","parentId",5796915,"title","Commission hears operations update: active cases fall to 114; new case‑management system to soft‑launch","audioSeconds",5904,"startMs",5904000,"endMs",-1,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796915-b4738d16b4dd7e8ab9ab6bba0f313161&start=5904&end=0","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796915-b4738d16b4dd7e8ab9ab6bba0f313161/thumbnail_5904000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6483404/Georgia/Commission-hears-operations-update-active-cases-fall-to-114-new-casemanagement-system-to-softlaunch","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6483404-ae0e3941d942b2ec25b6e9a59b25f79a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770449115&Signature=nd~IpDUcDmcqVbGRaCmDXoEtv~gSSTKlIGHa1-9sDnaFPy2KJGGUgzrCyopTHKnAk4nqD-491ncr2M2DhLpXWbo6M7BFHoU5DSTfapfU99xfN3BRj3LI-oZUMltgetMXi4XACR0Pzqv0e~9Fam4AVlp4QNvjGxGimhRESbn5fQstEhN3r8TvaVipVJYT5ISAttEMgPRp7FAxSWFQmIfAkrXe5w-YMl3sLTSSjYoGzo4ONG9cedHD~6Hz8-PE1UMot1DZq9UIsesYwsGlOxnjErbFfLVY8gVuCOCeoibmZzymsQrZJObNr70YNNJamN06uto94JA409MUOXFpiQ1e7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of Georgia ","date","2025-09-19T01:16:00Z","article","The State Ethics Commission received operational and enforcement updates at its Sept. 17 meeting.

Executive director update: The commission’s executive director reported the office currently has 114 active investigations—down from roughly 380 seven years earlier—and said staff are processing complaints more quickly. The director reported the commission collected about $328,000 in penalties and fees in the past 12 months and said a new case‑management and filing system will begin a soft launch for large filers the week following the meeting and should be fully live for campaigns, financial disclosures and lobbying modules by the end of the year.

Why it matters: A lower active‑case count signals a reduced backlog, and the new technology aims to improve filing reliability, auto‑flagging of late filings and the agency’s ability to collect late fees and fines more reliably.

Attorney general’s office and enforcement notes: The AG’s office told commissioners it will prosecute a hearing at the Office of State Administrative Hearings (OSAH) on Sept. 25 in Macon for a case staff does not expect to settle; the office warned that the ALJ’s initial decision will issue about 30 days after the hearing, creating a potential timing mismatch because the commission’s next regular meeting may fall after the 30‑day review window. The AG’s office also said it will seek enforcement in Fulton County Superior Court to compel compliance with a subpoena to Pegasus Strategies, a Florida company.

Next steps and practical matters: Commissioners discussed practical limits to litigation when travel and hearing costs exceed proposed penalties; the AG’s office and staff said they are exploring alternatives for resolving low‑dollar matters that nonetheless warrant enforcement. Staff reiterated plans for a week‑ahead soft launch of the new filing system and a fuller roll‑out by year‑end.

Ending: Commissioners had no objections to the planned technology rollout and asked staff to return with proposals for alternative enforcement approaches for low‑value matters that nevertheless require legal action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Georgia Ethics Commission Meeting: September 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The State Ethics Commission received operational and enforcement updates at its Sept. 17 meeting: active investigations fell to 114 and the commission collected roughly $328,000 in the last 12 months.","taxTitle","Government Transparency & Campaign Finance Commission, Executive Agencies, Executive, Georgia","taxId",36738,"location","Georgia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6483409,"Commission tables proposed rule on PAC bank accounts after commissioners raise statutory‑construction concerns",780,4145000,4925000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796915-b4738d16b4dd7e8ab9ab6bba0f313161&start=4145&end=4925","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796915-b4738d16b4dd7e8ab9ab6bba0f313161/thumbnail_4145000.jpg","/articles/6483409/Georgia/Commission-tables-proposed-rule-on-PAC-bank-accounts-after-commissioners-raise-statutoryconstruction-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6483409-b2783c9bec192e92d1198a882e001496/orig.mp4?Expires=1770449115&Signature=d7CHU5cMu7iV8jYrLr2J22LMy8DlEIMLBY5sAg52aQRueYXlS44lnfItpkwYXgMp6f0wfLMOyPTF2k6-1a0pV-INnwxRY~phYZy65TwZR9XGSuzGCd9GDjglUHSInFlTxu2RsBU8gq9yomTVQu0vSWAPC7SI3IGFqPZEmf4qSMFZ8pj5phsvsE9bnCz2l2od8FZZNqcoo5Tt8VeDXiG6CZJBVjqrTm0ma7~DEK9hxrS8QaiQE6bScjLfEGvY3bVwKkA7ypMEOtrxigkmi3eR2VGoYddwbuE2HCAD7DrUkGACDWPJQROfd-VdogYAKK3XCIcCeg58qAmZRqrBo8MPww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The State Ethics Commission on Sept. 17 voted to table a proposed rule that would require political action committees to maintain an isolated bank account from inception, clarifying when a PAC must register and report under newly enacted statutory language (subsection commonly referenced in the meeting as \"e 0.1\").

Why it matters: The proposed rule would have tried to clarify how the statute applies to PACs and when committees must open segregated accounts and register with the commission. Commissioners said the draft conflated subsection exceptions in existing statute and that the proposal should be narrowed to avoid inadvertently expanding the statutory requirements.

What happened: Staff presented a draft rule stating that a PAC must maintain a separate bank account and that some registration requirements apply at $25,000 in aggregate activity (the threshold discussed in the statute). Several commissioners pushed back, saying the legislature placed exceptions in the earlier subsection and did not clearly extend them to the newly created subsection. Commissioners recommended limiting a rule to the narrow administrative point staff can declare with confidence—when a segregated bank account must be opened—and to leave the $25,000 registration threshold to the statute itself. The commission voted to table the rule for redrafting.

Key concerns raised
- Statutory construction: Commissioners said if the legislature intended to subject the new subsection to the three exceptions in the earlier subsection it would have said so explicitly. The commissioners worried a rule could overreach and apply exceptions where the statute does not.
- Practical bank requirements: Commissioners also noted practical issues—banks typically do not open accounts without an initial deposit; staff suggested guidance will be needed on how an account requirement will work in practice.
- Effective date: Staff noted parts of the bill are effective Jan. 1, 2026, and commissioners asked staff to return with clarified language and implementation guidance before that date.

Next steps: The commission voted to table the draft rule. Staff said it will redraft the proposal to focus on the narrow point the commission can adopt administratively (the separate‑account requirement) and to remove language that appears to apply statutory exceptions beyond the scope of current code.

Ending: The motion to table was made, seconded and adopted; commissioners thanked staff for the draft and asked for a revised proposal at a future meeting.","A proposed rule to clarify when political action committees must maintain separate bank accounts and register under recently added OCGA language was tabled after commissioners questioned whether statutory exceptions apply to the new subsection; staff will revise the proposal.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6483414,"Ethics commission adopts advisory opinion: transfers intended to circumvent limits may qualify as contributions if coordination proven",332,5552000,5884000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796915-b4738d16b4dd7e8ab9ab6bba0f313161&start=5552&end=5884","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796915-b4738d16b4dd7e8ab9ab6bba0f313161/thumbnail_5552000.jpg","/articles/6483414/Georgia/Ethics-commission-adopts-advisory-opinion-transfers-intended-to-circumvent-limits-may-qualify-as-contributions-if-coordination-proven","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6483414-e4a3db2b40412516c676736bd6570a02/orig.mp4?Expires=1770449115&Signature=JfqDiQeZSIpTP06UtFQy2vbkGNMHqR64aYaFsCbE3yvKeNOuT-M4--xuh7jR0uSHCBezgSL5dcMJ7OjRMVflRVhcmPJe6HYGkqQ0KDOXBftg4x7OyFkdTCyrwCsXpX~Q41EkeNEbj1osVp7UPB78grBFLaPMyhuAnKfHC~rHlaaT3GQDAgcaaVHF~V4Rsx~0YP0ArPRsVnSb14lLXj9G7wC0kKejbeqK8WR3Z0FRdYCxzgo252Z2pj09ZqLQo65~IbZQVNkdiScd562B4cTM7MfMKV1TAdhTQyLKhAjIsqJhaMFjnGGXQ-fRi6hGeOKN~7LAUDHMB1zdXsGoU03uIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The State Ethics Commission on Sept. 17 adopted advisory opinion AO2025‑01, which addresses whether transfers routed through leadership committees or other intermediaries can be treated as contributions to a candidate when facts show coordinated action intended to circumvent statutory contribution limits.

The opinion considered a narrow hypothetical submitted to staff in which a candidate solicits a $500,000 payment from an independent committee to air television advertisements, the independent committee coordinates with a leadership committee and the leadership committee immediately pays the ad costs. Staff concluded—and the commission adopted—that if the specific facts could be proven, the transfers could be treated as contributions to the candidate and therefore subject to statutory contribution limits.

Why it matters: The advisory opinion does not create a new criminal offense, but it provides guidance for enforcement staff and committees. It underscores that proof of coordination matters: a mere sequence of payments through a leadership committee is not, on its own, sufficient to recharacterize lawful receipts as prohibited contributions without evidence of coordination and intent.

Key points from the opinion
- Coordination requirement: Staff and commissioners emphasized the need for evidence tying the candidate and the independent committee to the decision to route funds to a leadership committee for the purpose of funding the candidate’s ads. Overt communications (emails, texts, or contemporaneous planning documents) or other direct evidence would be required to demonstrate coordination; absent that evidence, money that flows into a leadership committee and is later spent does not automatically become a candidate contribution.
- Leadership committee mechanics: The opinion notes that leadership committees may accept large donations and make expenditures under current law, and the statute itself allows leadership committees to operate differently from independent committees and PACs. The advisory opinion focuses on the coordination facts that would justify treating the transfer as a contribution.
- Practical standard: The opinion frames the issue as fact‑specific; staff said they expect this guidance to apply only in cases where there is a clear showing of communications or other indicia of coordination.

Commission reaction: Commissioners praised the clarity of the written opinion. One commissioner described the hypothetical as a “100% coordination, no question about it” scenario; staff and commissioners agreed the opinion targets only the strongest coordination cases.

Ending: The advisory opinion was adopted on a motion and second and recorded as adopted by the commission. Staff said the opinion will be used as guidance for future enforcement assessments but that each case will remain fact‑specific.","The commission adopted AO2025‑01, concluding that under a tightly specified hypothetical, transfers routed through leadership committees could be treated as contributions to a candidate if there is demonstrable coordination that evinces intent to evade contribution limits.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6483419,"State Ethics Commission adopts dozens of consent orders resolving campaign‑finance and disclosure violations",3609,327000,3936000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796915-b4738d16b4dd7e8ab9ab6bba0f313161&start=327&end=3936","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796915-b4738d16b4dd7e8ab9ab6bba0f313161/thumbnail_327000.jpg","/articles/6483419/Georgia/State-Ethics-Commission-adopts-dozens-of-consent-orders-resolving-campaignfinance-and-disclosure-violations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6483419-5b685eed0493ee4197fdca51c628f062/orig.mp4?Expires=1770449115&Signature=klxSvRAJq7sSwjCcxXBafwlUwnjHedDBeZt9nWd~XtNMVQizoxdkuQppfxJbEutDfnQ~kQhv2kEPapNF6sPFnnIZBQYKqlyWz20F9oZvtMMW1-7lEZn4x4cjUreOakTONuQZlK~1~aA8-ZZlv1uojZOtZTU-vclVSMz1vFH89IAxnbbp5E7YiKcwvzJordSDQw5T3gQj67aY1Zm0gdoowx1Z91mO7qaAy9Kcl5~OBRZgwFiKXMG72E-dmgavBEPvDly8b59XCZ1WcC2pP4j8rHU8QrZPuzmdh5y~3is3XyEzszdTDsU9Z5npv8zqucRTOsbBIMK9BwAZ5zEnR3Y9BA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The State Ethics Commission on Wednesday adopted a package of consent orders resolving more than 20 enforcement matters, the body said at its Sept. 17 meeting in Savannah.

The orders impose civil penalties and late‑filing fees for failures to file campaign disclosure reports, personal financial disclosure statements and other violations of Georgia campaign‑finance and disclosure statutes. The largest penalty in the package was a $5,000 consent order against Mayor Lester Miller of Macon‑Bibb County for transferring campaign funds to a nonprofit he controlled; other penalties ranged from $125 to several thousand dollars.

Why it matters: The consent orders clear longstanding cases from the commission’s docket and impose financial penalties intended to enforce filing and disclosure rules for candidates, committees and public officials.

Most important outcomes
- The commission adopted the package of consent orders as presented, with two cases pulled for separate consideration and later adopted after minor edits.
- Penalties ranged from $125 (late‑filing fees) to $5,000; several officeholders and campaign committees agreed to pay fines and file missing reports.

Details and notable cases
- Case 25‑0037‑C, Charles Bourgeois (candidate for Atlanta City Council, District 9): staff found one violation for failing to file the municipal declaration of intent (DOI) before accepting contributions; agreed penalty $500. Staff told the commission the campaign “mistakenly believed” an RC filing with the state satisfied the municipal DOI requirement and that “it was simply an error.” (Staff presenter)

- Case 25‑0031‑C, Go Big for Macon‑Bibb, Inc. (county ballot question committee): staff described a $50,000 transfer that was treated as a contribution though made by the Macon Industrial Authority from private donors handled through the authority; agreed penalty $1,500.

- Case 25‑0040‑C, Lester Miller (mayor of Macon‑Bibb): five violations related to transferring excess contributions to a nonprofit in which he had a controlling interest; agreed penalty $5,000. Staff and commissioners discussed ambiguity in the statutory term “controlling interest” and noted Georgia law varies by code section; the commission noted rulemaking could clarify the term.

- Case 25‑0069‑C, Georgia Freedom Fund (registered PAC making independent expenditures): staff found failures to register and to file multiple CCDRs and two‑business‑day reports for large expenditures; agreed total penalty $5,000 (civil penalty plus late fees). Commissioners discussed enforcement limits when an organization terminates and the practical difficulty of collecting larger penalties from defunct entities.

- Additional adopted matters included a range of small‑campaign reporting cases and missed personal financial disclosure statements; where respondents provided bank records and cooperated, staff recommended—and commissioners adopted—reduced penalties in recognition of cooperation and the size of campaigns.

Votes at a glance (adopted; penalty shown where specified in the record): 25‑0037‑C Charles Bourgeois ($500); 25‑0031‑C Go Big for Macon‑Bibb, Inc. ($1,500); 22‑0104‑C Chad Jones Smith ($525); 25‑0013‑C Kenya Wicks ($325); 25‑0010‑C Derek Mallow and Friends ($1,000); 25‑0004‑C Cindy Mills and Citizens for Cindy ($1,500); 25‑0040‑C Lester Miller ($5,000); 23‑0017‑C Edward ‘‘Ted’’ Terry ($2,000); 24‑0127‑C Jeffrey Lee Powers ($1,000); 25‑0038‑C Justin Hawkins ($1,000); 25‑0039‑C Gary Beckman ($1,500); 25‑0057‑C Miriam Paris ($500); 25‑0069‑C Georgia Freedom Fund ($5,000); 25‑0051‑C Cesar Gonzales ($250); 25‑0052‑C Stephanie Donegan ($250); 25‑0053‑C Deborah Shigley ($250); 25‑0054‑C Steve West ($125); 25‑0055‑C Lance Calvert ($250); 25‑0056‑C Brian Will ($125); 25‑0059‑C Michael Shane Howard ($2,000); 25‑0067‑C William Whaley ($500); 25‑0063‑C Tarinia Carthen ($1,500); 25‑0062‑C Sonya Compton ($1,500).

Commissioners and staff who spoke during the consent‑orders discussion included Commissioner Thompson, Commissioner Wise, Commissioner Burge, Commissioner Dana DeMint, and a staff case presenter identified in the record. Commissioners asked staff for factual clarifications in several matters and discussed when consent orders set precedents versus when they reflect negotiated settlements unique to the facts of a case.

Ending: The commission recorded a motion and second to adopt the package (with two items pulled for separate votes); the chair called the question and commissioners answered in the affirmative. Two of the pulled matters (Edward Terry and Miriam Paris) were amended on minor, non‑substantive wording and then adopted on separate motions later in the meeting.","At its Sept. 17 meeting the State Ethics Commission adopted consent orders resolving more than 20 enforcement matters, imposing civil penalties and late fees ranging from $125 to $5,000. The orders resolved campaign reporting errors, late filings and prohibited transfers between campaign committees and nonprofits.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission hears operations update: active cases fall to 114; new case‑management system to soft‑launch

Commission tables proposed rule on PAC bank accounts after commissioners raise statutory‑construction concerns

Ethics commission adopts advisory opinion: transfers intended to circumvent limits may qualify as contributions if coordination proven

State Ethics Commission adopts dozens of consent orders resolving campaign‑finance and disclosure violations