The Georgia Association of Realtors has accepted the largest ethics fine in state history.
The fine of $80,000 was negotiated and signed-off-on by the State Ethics Commission Thursday. It stands as the largest penalty ever given by the Commission.
The Commission’s executive secretary, Rick Thompson, says the levy is the end of an investigation of campaign contributions not reported by the Realtors Association for most of 2006, totaling around $585,000.
Unreported contributions by the Realtors Association included a sum given to a so-called "independent committee" said to be connected to Casey Cagle and his 2006 run for Lieutenant Governor. Cagle’s campaign denies a direct connection to the group.
By state law, groups can set-up independent committees to back a candidate, as long as they don’t coordinate with the candidate.
In all, the State Ethics Commission's business on Thursday included issuing over $180,000 in combined fines to various group. That stands as a record.
The fine of $80,000 was negotiated and signed-off-on by the State Ethics Commission Thursday. It stands as the largest penalty ever given by the Commission.
The Commission’s executive secretary, Rick Thompson, says the levy is the end of an investigation of campaign contributions not reported by the Realtors Association for most of 2006, totaling around $585,000.
Unreported contributions by the Realtors Association included a sum given to a so-called "independent committee" said to be connected to Casey Cagle and his 2006 run for Lieutenant Governor. Cagle’s campaign denies a direct connection to the group.
By state law, groups can set-up independent committees to back a candidate, as long as they don’t coordinate with the candidate.
In all, the State Ethics Commission's business on Thursday included issuing over $180,000 in combined fines to various group. That stands as a record.
