The Georgia Ethics Commission convened on September 17, 2025, to address several cases involving campaign finance violations. The meeting focused on the review of multiple cases, penalties, and compliance with state regulations.

The first case discussed involved a respondent who failed to disclose campaign contributions and expenditures, resulting in a total penalty of $525. This included a $125 late fee and a $400 civil penalty. The campaign in question raised and spent approximately $4,000. The complaint was initiated two years after the respondent lost the election, complicating the retrieval of financial records from PayPal.

Next, the commission reviewed the case of Kenya Wicks, a Georgia Senate member from District 34. Wicks faced a single violation for failing to file a campaign disclosure report by the January 31, 2025 deadline. The agreed penalty was $325, which has been paid. Wicks was commended for her cooperation and for promptly filing the missing report after receiving the complaint.

The commission then addressed the case of Derek Mallow, a state senator from the Second District, who faced six violations for failing to file multiple campaign disclosure reports during the 2024 election year and a personal financial disclosure statement for 2022. Mallow accepted responsibility for the oversight, attributing it to issues with his previous filer and personal circumstances involving his daughter’s health. The total penalty agreed upon was $1,000, which Mallow has complied with.

Cindy Mills, a former member of the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, was also reviewed for failing to disclose a significant expenditure of $27,826.86. The commission imposed a civil penalty of $1,500, which has been paid. Mills worked with a filer to amend past reports and rectify discrepancies dating back to 2017.

Lastly, the commission discussed the case of Lester Miller, the mayor of Macon Bibb, who faced five violations related to transferring excess campaign contributions to a nonprofit organization in which he held a controlling interest. The commission noted the complexities surrounding the definition of "controlling interest" in this case.

The meeting concluded with a focus on the importance of compliance and transparency in campaign finance, emphasizing the commission's role in ensuring adherence to ethical standards in Georgia's political landscape. Further actions and follow-ups on these cases will be monitored by the commission.