June 27
Unchecked staffer let funds flow on for mountain spa Critics blast Perdue for overseas trips, aides defend DeKalb board member’s business caters to schools Review: Warner Robins hiring practices inconsistent Fulton judge sets July 8 hearing on Oxendine ethics case Suspended Albany assistant city attorney alleges retaliation Police: Warner Robins councilman lied about stolen cellphone
June 26
Fayette judge’s indiscretions recounted in court; subpoenaed ex-judge a no-show Grand jury meets, ex-judge Oxendine appears Marietta mayor pushes for transparency Cobb Commission chairman candidate’s 1995 bankruptcy becomes an issue Attorney says Columbus park & rec probe is vendetta by mayor
The joke’s on Reykjavik … or is it?
Some politicians are comedians but they don’t know it. Not Jon Gnarr, the new mayor of Iceland’s capital. Check out the coolest campaign video of all time.
June 25
Judge must decide whether Troy Davis proved innocence in cop killing 30 deputies face discipline in Clayton jail mishap State Ethics Commission investigating Forsyth County candidate
Study: Metro hospitals fall short on affordable health care
Many metro Atlanta hospitals should do more to improve access to health care for the low-income and uninsured, a new study has concluded. The hospitals mark up costs by as much as 700 percent. Some barely meet state standards for providing free medical care. And only half post legally required signs to let uninsured patients know about financial-aid programs.
Ethics case on hold after Fulton commissioner challenges board’s powers
The Fulton County Ethics Board has placed its yearlong investigation of County Commissioner Lynne Riley on hold, after her attorney filed a last-minute lawsuit challenging the board’s jurisdiction. Board chairman Donald P. Edwards said the six complainants against Riley deserve swift resolution, and the board prides itself on speedy, sound decision-making. In this case, he said, “Commissioner Riley has been an exception to that expeditiousness.”
June 24
Someone’s lying: Witnesses back off testimony against Troy Davis Fulton Commissioner Riley sues ethics board Competition is good for everything — except the Ga. ballot Arora no longer representing indicted ex-DeKalb schools’ COO Wieland Homes settles discrimination suit Cobb school board chair: ‘Nothing done illegally’ Brunswick chief fired for misleading mayor, city manager Citizens: Henry […]
June 23
Witnesses back off testimony against Troy Davis Forsyth official on leave while racy emails are reviewed Cobb school board admits illegal vote
June 22
Questions raised about Sen. Balfour’s relationship with lobbyist Georgia loses $2.4M in federal transit money Investigation into N.Ga. judge started with jewelry theft DeKalb admits addresses deleted from 911 HUD says Augusta must pay back home grants ATL test cheating report delayed again Grade tampering reported at Savannah’s Beach High PACs stick with incumbents
John Douglas, Public Service Commission candidate: $113,136
John F. Douglas, a three-term state senator from Social Circle, says he made $113,000 and change last year. That includes his salaries as a legislator ($31,741, including per diem) and as a field rep for the Peace Officers Association of Georgia, military retirement and his wife’s salary.
Law, ethics agencies kiss & make up over case backlog
In 2003, Fulton County Sheriff Jackie Barrett accepted three $10,000 campaign contributions – far exceeding the legal limit — from donors in Florida. Each had received loans from a $2 million investment of public funds by Barrett. A broker who steered the investment, and the chief deputy who took $10,000 from him, both went to federal prison. But Barrett still awaits the outcome of a 6-year-old ethics investigation. In 2008, dozens of disputed ethics cases like Barrett’s were backed up. Today, officials say, the backlog is almost cleared up.