The Marietta Daily Journal – Ethics complaint filed on Kennesaw Mayor Mathews

KENNESAW — Mayor Mark Mathews is the target of an ethics complaint filed with the state ethics commission accusing him of misusing campaign funds during his 2012 re-election bid.

The complaint was filed June 27 by Councilwoman Cris Welsh with the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission. The agency, formerly known as the Georgia State Ethics Commission, opened a case file July 2 on the complaint, said Holly LaBerge, executive director of the commission.

Mathews has 30 days to respond to the accusations but is not required to respond, said LaBerge.

“It does not affect the case if he doesn’t respond,” LaBerge said. “After that (30 days) it goes on the list to be adjudicated.”

At issue is the mayor’s use of $670 in campaign contributions for his 2012 re-election campaign.

On Nov. 15, 2011, he used $250 in campaign funds to purchase raffle tickets at the annual banquet of the Kennesaw chapter of Ducks Unlimited. He ended up winning the raffle prize — a Rossi 20-gauge shotgun valued at $350 to $400.

Then, on Dec. 20, 2011, Mathews used $420 in campaign funds to purchase gift cards at local restaurants, which he gave to the department heads on his city staff.

Mathews does not dispute the facts in the complaint.

via The Marietta Daily Journal – Ethics complaint filed on Kennesaw Mayor Mathews.