Common Cause Georgia statement on ethics subpoenas

via Press Release:

Atlanta, GA – Common Cause Georgia (CCGA) Executive Director William Perry released a statement today on the subpoenas issued recently to top current and former ethics commission officials by a federal grand jury concerning investigations involving allegations against Georgia Governor Nathan Deal and his campaign:

“Subpoenas being issued to our state’s top former and current ethics officials by a federal grand jury is – or should be – good news for everyone,” said Perry. “It’s good news for the people of Georgia, and it’s good news for the Governor himself. An investigation will be conducted by an independent body that includes no one about whom it can be alleged that he or she was or is influenced by having been hired or appointed by the Governor. Criticisms and allegations which have been lodged against the ethics commission itself and the Office of the Inspector General for past investigations, as well as the current audit of the ethics commission being conducted by the State Department of Audits and Accounts all include individuals hired or appointed by the Governor. A federal investigation assures the public that there can be no political influence or interference with the grand jury investigation by a state office”.

Common Cause Georgia is a statewide, non-partisan, cross-ideology education and advocacy watchdog group dedicated to openness, accountability, and ethics in government. To learn more, visit www.CommonCause.org/GA