Georgia Ethics Board issues penalties for campaign finance violations in Villa Rica elections

The Georgia Ethics Commission convened on March 24, 2025, to address several violations of campaign finance laws and to review consent orders related to candidates' compliance with filing requirements. The meeting focused on a series of motions regarding specific violations and penalties for candidates who failed to adhere to the state's campaign finance regulations.

The session began with a detailed examination of violations numbered one through seven, which pertained to the failure of a candidate, identified as Ms. McCoy, to file necessary financial disclosures and reports within the mandated timelines. The applicable laws cited included OCGA 21-5-34 and OCGA 21-5-50, which outline the filing schedules for non-election and election years. Ms. McCoy was found to have missed multiple deadlines, including a significant filing due on December 31, 2021, and subsequent filings in 2022 and 2023.

The Commission discussed the implications of these violations, noting that Ms. McCoy's late filing of a personal financial disclosure statement (PFDS) was 21 days overdue. The legal counsel confirmed that once a violation occurs, there are no remedies available to backdate filings, leaving Ms. McCoy with limited options for rectification.

Following the analysis, the Commission moved to vote on each violation. A series of seven motions were presented, each finding reasonable grounds to believe that Ms. McCoy had violated the ethics of government act. Each motion was seconded and passed unanimously, confirming the findings of the Commission regarding her non-compliance.

In addition to Ms. McCoy's case, the Commission reviewed consent orders for two other candidates, Ms. Warmoth and Ms. McPherson, both of whom faced penalties for failing to terminate their campaign accounts and for other filing violations. Ms. Warmoth agreed to pay a total penalty of $250, while Ms. McPherson accepted a total penalty of $1,000 for her multiple violations.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on the nature of penalties, emphasizing that late fees are typically fixed at $125 per violation, while civil penalties may vary based on the severity of the infractions and the candidates' cooperation during the process.

Overall, the meeting underscored the importance of compliance with campaign finance laws and the Commission's commitment to enforcing these regulations to maintain ethical standards in Georgia's electoral processes.