New Georgia Project fined $300K for alleged illegal campaign activities linked to Stacey Abrams

The New Georgia Project, a grassroots organization founded by former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, has been hit with a record-breaking $300,000 ethics fine. 

The State Ethics Commission alleges that the group functioned as an illegal Super PAC for Abrams's campaign, marking the largest fine in the commission's history and possibly the largest state ethics fine ever issued in the U.S.

Stacey Abrams (FOX 5)

The New Georgia Project fined by State Ethics Commission

What we know:

The New Georgia Project, founded by former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams in 2013, has been fined $300,000 by the State Ethics Commission. This penalty is the largest in the commission's history and possibly the largest state ethics fine ever issued in the U.S. The commission alleges that the organization functioned as an illegal Super PAC for Abrams's 2018 gubernatorial campaign by failing to register as a Super PAC and not filing required financial disclosures. The New Georgia Project has admitted to 16 violations of state law.

What is the New Georgia Project?

The backstory:

The New Georgia Project was established to register voters and gained recognition for its role in helping turn Georgia blue during the 2020 presidential election. However, the State Ethics Commission had already begun investigating the group's fundraising and spending practices by that time. The investigation, which spanned five years, culminated in the imposition of the hefty fine. The commission's findings revealed that the organization raised $4.2 million in dark money for Abrams and other candidates, spending $3.2 million on various campaign activities.

 State Ethics Commission members respond

David Emadi, State Ethics Commission executive secretary (FOX 5)

What they're saying:

David Emadi, the State Ethics Commission's Executive Secretary, stated, "This clearly represents the largest and most significant instance of an organization illegally influencing our elections in Georgia at a statewide level, that we've ever uncovered." He added, "I think this sends a pretty clear message, to the parties, to the public, and to potential bad actors moving forward, that if you break the law to influence our elections, we're gonna be diligent in our pursuit and we're gonna hold you accountable."

Rick Thompson, the Ethics Commission Vice Chairman, remarked, "I think actions like this should be criminal," and expressed frustration over the group's lack of cooperation, saying, "To continually stall, and not cooperate with our investigation, is extremely disheartening."

David Fox, an attorney for the New Georgia Project, commented, "We don't necessarily agree with everything that Mr. Emadi just said, but at a fundamental level respondents understand and respect the commission's position on the facts and the law."

Stacey Abrams and the New Georgia Project

What we don't know:

While the infractions occurred during the tenure of Reverend Raphael Warnock as CEO of the New Georgia Project, Emadi clarified, "I'm not prepared to say he had direct involvement in this. I didn't personally find evidence of that." Additionally, the consent order did not implicate Abrams personally, although the group shared an address with her company, Third Sector Development. A complaint alleging her collusion is still under investigation. Attempts to reach both Senator Warnock and Abrams for comment were unsuccessful.

Stacey Abrams (FOX 5)

Record-breaking $300,000 ethics fine

What's next:

The New Georgia Project is required to pay $150,000 upfront, with another year to settle the remaining balance of the fine. The ongoing investigation into the complaint alleging Abrams's collusion continues, and questions remain about her knowledge of the organization's activities. Cody Hall, an advisor to Gov. Brian Kemp, posed the question, "What did Stacey Abrams know and when did she know it?"

The Source: This information is based on the findings and statements from the State Ethics Commission regarding the New Georgia Project, a voter registration organization founded by Stacey Abrams. Key figures such as David Emadi, the commission's Executive Secretary, and Rick Thompson, the Vice Chairman, provided insights into the significance of the violations and the organization's lack of cooperation. The New Georgia Project, represented by attorney David Fox, acknowledged the commission's position while ongoing investigations continue into potential collusion involving Abrams.

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