Atlanta Unfiltered

Call it the 2010 Georgia Junket Protection Act. Ethics legislation pushed by House Speaker David Ralston would exempt lobbyists from having to disclose what they spend to fly, feed and house lawmakers attending their annual conventions, which often seem to be held in warm, sunny climes near a large body of water. In this way and several others, Common Cause Georgia says, the state’s ethics laws are about to take several giant steps backward.

$2 million verdict sought in DeKalb discrimination case Costly racial case roils DeKalb Lawsuit: Columbus city leaders look at porn at work Critics: ATL police chief search too secretive

Deal: Complaint part of political conspiracy Telecom, PSC bills survive Earthlink to pay $3.7M to settle suit over early termination fees Casey Cagle may have some explaining to do Homeless liaison’s salary under fire Audit clears Gainesville schools of wrongdoing

U.S. House panel accuses Deal of ethics violations Others cut but Legislature’s spending up Head Start pay hikes stimulate criticism Forsyth County demotes fire marshal

Atlanta’s ethics board can fine employees who accept improper gratuities. But a staff attorney contends the panel can’t touch him for enjoying expensive meals bought by opposing lawyers. Why? Because, senior assistant city attorney Robert N. Godfrey says, he answers to a higher power — the State Bar of Georgia. Read on…

Critics: Investors scooping up Omni homes undercuts stabilization plans State sued for failing to serve deaf with mental health care FDIC shaking up oversight team in Atlanta region? Papers filed to oust Gwinnett commission chairman

State high court rejects request to bar death penalty Opinion: Turn up the heat on ethics reform Opinion: Ralston sounds retreat on ethics reform & lobbyists Second arrest made in Henry County bribery case Opinion: Tammany Hall South thrives at Dougherty Co. school board

By MARIAN WANG/ProPublica It’s a subject that has gotten limited play in the American press, but has held the attention of the international press for weeks, even months: In Germany, news of sexual abuse and negligent oversight in the very archdiocese once headed by Pope Benedict XVI has been a developing story, while in Ireland, […]

Ralston introduces ethics legislation Lawmakers cut deal that gives hospitals ‘veto’ over bills Deal won’t comment on ethics report Ex-DeKalb CEO denies denies racial bias against employees Former Fulton County detention officer indicted

Rant: ATL Council fiddles while city burns Law to punish elected tax cheats stalls Deal likely received independent ethics report before resignation ACLU accuses Gwinnett of racial profiling Jurors hear DeKalb discrimination testimony Ralston ethics bill coming soon Barrow Commission chairman censured for skipping anger management

2-year anniversary of UGA sexual harassment cases brings investigation Reverse-discrimination trial begins against DeKalb officials Metro residents face property tax overpayments Riverdale to hear ethics complaint findings

Bill allows gas price increases in emergency Forsyth County may buy golf course at multiples of tax value Aflac, UPS among most ethical Obama’s CDC director wielding a big broom Mork work to do in ethics probe of Bibb Co. schools