Atlanta Unfiltered

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

East Point can’t account for $200M in spending Lawsuit alleges state agencies withheld hundreds of millions from disabled 9 to 5: Some GA restaurant workers unfairly paid Fulton tax collector raking in thousands in fees Feds deny ATL aquarium’s bid to import 18 beluga whales Most hospitals in GA face readmission fines Georgia attorney general: […]

Ballinger’s campaign disclosures remain a puzzlement. She reported loaning her 2012 campaign $70,000 but it only owes her $30,000. She failed to carry over a $12,000-plus cash balance in September 2012. And she’s only reported receiving one of the eight donations that PACs have reported giving her. “Those [other] checks were apparently misplaced,” Ballinger wrote in an email.

Vets fall through cracks in mental health system (paywall) Atlanta’s poor stranded by sprawl Questions raised about ATL pension arrangement Whistleblower: Hospitals defrauded Medicaid Smyrna loses millions on apartment complex deal (paywall) Douglas Co. DA spent $11K on unused storage space Gwinnett schools pick troubled firm for cameras High costs hampering GA rail safety efforts […]

Scared Straight continues, despite misgivings Bidders get do-overs after questions raised on state benefits contract Whistle-blower against DeKalb employees believes he was targeted Fulton chief judge: Report judicial corruption to investigators State fines car dealers after I-Team report Cumming maintains in court that it did not violate open meetings law Judge: Don’t reinstate 2 suspended […]

Scope of juvenile justice abuse claims widens Nathan Deal’s salvage yard could be fueling another controversy ATL schools outspend others on administration Ralston forms group to study Ga. forfeiture laws TV investigation of private security traffic stops leads to state probe Failure to function: What happens to no-shows at ATL Municipal Court? South Georgia lawmaker […]