Atlanta Unfiltered

Sept. 27, 2013 — Sen. Don Balfour was indicted today, based largely on Atlanta Unfiltered’s February 2012 report on sketchy entries in his expense account, for claiming per diem and mileage that he wasn’t entitled to.

Over at Fox 5, Dale Russell reported Wednesday night on an allegation that politics is behind a push to reopen an ethics investigation of U.S. Senate candidate Karen Handel. The state ethics commission settled three complaints against Handel in April with dismissals and her payment of a $75 late filing fee. Now, Russell reports, ethics […]

Sept. 26, 2013 — Real PAC, a political committee with close ties to Gov. Nathan Deal, has filed its first tax forms with the IRS, one of which was more than a year overdue. The filings raise new questions about the timing of large gifts from businesses seeking state contracts or legislation.

Sept. 19, 2013 — Gov. Nathan Deal’s office recruited a new director for the state ethics commission just as it was ramping up a high-profile probe of his 2010 campaign, Atlanta Unfiltered has learned. A year later, the new ethics chief is alleged to have closed the investigation with a minimal penalty on orders from the governor’s office. The new, behind-the-scenes accounts of the Deal probe, emerging in two whistleblower cases, resurrect concerns about the independence of the state’s ethics enforcers and the integrity of its investigations. They also contradict denials that Deal had any role in the shake-up that cost the state’s top two ethics enforcers their jobs.

Sept. 17, 2013 — Kent Alexander, the lone Democrat on the state ethics commission, has left that position. His resignation letter to Gov. Nathan Deal gave no reason for his departure but notes that he plans to “focus on other professional and civic commitments.” Alexander was not immediately available for comment.

By CORA CURRIER/ProPublica Sept. 17, 2013 — The U.S. spent roughly $25 billion last year on what’s loosely known as security assistance — a term that can cover everything from training Afghan security forces to sending Egypt F-16 fighter jets to equipping Mexican port police with radiation scanners. The spending, which has soared in the […]

Sept. 11, 2013 — Attorney Michael Rothenberg today admitted defrauding investors who gave him more than $1.3 million. The proceeds, federal prosecutors said, were used for personal expenses and for Rothenberg’s losing 2010 campaign to become a DeKalb Superior Court judge.

Sept. 11, 2013 — Former Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers took back control of a Cartersville radio station last year, apparently without notifying the Federal Communications Commission or his employer, Georgia Public Broadcasting. The station, tiny WYXC-AM, is at the center of an ongoing drama that’s spilled over into the courts and lit up Cartersville message boards. The current operators filed suit last month, alleging their partner had surreptitiously bought the station and kicked them out. They soon turned the tables by obtaining a court order restoring their access and denying his.

• Senate panel looks at medical-malpractice bill; critics say it’s unconstitutional
• DeKalb DA reduces racketeering charges against ex-school superintendent, others (paywall)
• Prosecutors lose first Atlanta Public Schools cheating trial
• Thousands of errors found on Fulton voter rolls
• Clayton sheriff’s settlement with public funds legal, board says
• Opponent accused ATL councilwoman Cleta Winslow of inappropriate reimbursements
• Ex-Rabun animal shelter director indicted on 60 counts
• Albany hospital, FTC reach deal to end anti-trust fight
• Ga. PSC may give $10K fine to anti-abortion group
• DeKalb wiretap notices causing consternation
• Ex-Forsyth City Council members plead guilty to bribery