Group Founded by Stacey Abrams Fined Over Campaign Law Violations

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JAN 16

Above: Stacey Abrams at the Georgia State Convocation Center on July 30, 2024. Image copyright: Julia Beverly/Contributor/Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Imagesstory last updated JAN 17

The Facts

The New Georgia Project and its action fund have been fined $300K in a unanimous Wednesday vote of the Georgia Ethics Commission for violating state campaign finance laws during the 2018 election cycle, marking the largest ethics fine in state history.
The current leaders of the organizations admitted to 16 violations, including failing to disclose $4.2M in contributions and $3.2M in expenditures used to support founder Stacey Abrams and other Democratic candidates in 2018.
The groups conducted activities, including canvassing, distributing campaign literature, and social media engagement without proper registration as political committees or required financial disclosures.

The Spin

Republican narrative

It turns out that while Abrams was accusing Republicans of voter fraud and suppression, she and her groups were the ones engaging in questionable activities. This record-breaking fine sends a clear message that organizations attempting to illegally influence elections will be held accountable, but it doesn't go far enough. These types of actions should lead to criminal charges.

PJ Media Daily Caller

Democratic narrative

Considering the indifference the ethics commission has shown toward past complaints of this nature — not to mention the ethical lapses of recent members of the commission — this was obviously a politically motivated investigation and decision. With the fine paid, the New Georgia Project can get back to focusing on its important work of securing democracy for vulnerable communities.

Newsweek Guardian