For some Georgia legislators, filing simple personal financial disclosures is just so hard

January 21, 2010 14:52 pm

by Pete Randall · 30 comments

As of today, State Senators Valencia Seay (D-Riverdale) and Steve Thompson (D-Marietta) as well as State Representatives Bob Bryant (D-Garden City), Ron Dodson (D-Lake City), David Lucas (D-Macon), Quincy Murphy (D-Augusta), Jay Shaw (D-Lakeland) and Al Williams (D-Midway) have yet to file their personal financial disclosures for 2008 with the State Ethics Commission. Why? What is the conceivable delay in completing a simple, three page document and filing it with the Commission? If these legislators can’t even accomplish such a simple task as this, how can they handle the complex legislation that crosses their desk daily for their review and approval?

No explanations given, no excuses should be allowed. Oh, and did anyone notice which party they are all with? I’m sure it’s just a coincidence.

{ 30 comments }

Progressive Dem January 21, 2010 at 3:06 pm

Right, the GOP is the only ethical party in Georgia. Go try and sell that arguement.

The lack of reporting is inexcuseable. Rules without enforcement are obviously meaningless. Let’s pass some meaningful enforcement with the new ethics standards.

ByteMe January 21, 2010 at 3:13 pm

For a certain type of person, this “reporting” is exactly what they want. It’s called “confirmation bias”.

Ken in Eastman January 22, 2010 at 4:20 pm

I’m looking for marshmallows. Care to join me? :-)

Pete Randall January 21, 2010 at 3:14 pm

Right, the GOP is the only ethical party in Georgia. Go try and sell that arguement.

As I didn’t, I won’t.

Progressive Dem January 21, 2010 at 3:52 pm

“Oh, and did anyone notice which party they are all with? I’m sure it’s just a coincidence.” That was an obvious attempt, albeit weak, to say Republicans were more ethical.

AthensRepublican January 21, 2010 at 3:54 pm

I think the point was to say they are smarter not necessarily more ethical.

Ken in Eastman January 22, 2010 at 4:29 pm

Obvious attempt, albeit weak, to change the thrust of the report. Oh come on, you knew that had to be coming.

I suspect these are all legislators such as David Lucas who are in such safe districts that no scandal could get them out of their seats.

If Macon will tolerate Elaine Lucas on the Macon City Council, then David Lucas could lead a neo-Nazi parade, naked, down Cherry St in Macon while proclaiming that he is Josef Stalin reincarnate while farting Dixie and still be re-elected by a landslide. Not that I suggest he do that, you understand, but he could.

Bucky Plyler January 21, 2010 at 3:13 pm

It would be better to have ethical R & D legislators. Why don’t we just elect some?

ByteMe January 21, 2010 at 3:15 pm

I wonder if the point of this post is to create a false equivalence between all the Republican sex and bribery that have gone on under the Gold Dome… and a few out-of-power Democrats who didn’t file a disclosure form.

AthensRepublican January 21, 2010 at 3:17 pm

Maybe their accounts are empty and they think they don’t have to report?

ByteMe January 21, 2010 at 3:19 pm

Since it’s the personal financials, I’d hope they weren’t both broke and dumb.

AthensRepublican January 21, 2010 at 3:24 pm

Good point. Could be both.

Mayonnaise January 21, 2010 at 3:20 pm

Did McBerry file yet?

polisavvy January 21, 2010 at 3:45 pm

As of yesterday, he still had not filed. Tomorrow will be two weeks late. How can someone who won’t follow the laws be considered to hold a position that SHOULD uphold the laws?

Progressive Dem January 21, 2010 at 3:48 pm

As soon as he finishes making his tinfoil hat, he’ll file.

polisavvy January 21, 2010 at 4:38 pm

Now that’s funny stuff. Couldn’t help but laugh.

GAModernWhig January 21, 2010 at 4:24 pm

It takes time to hide stuff… And aparently it takes longer for the blues than the reds. You can read into that what you would like, maybe one side is better at hiding stuff maybe the other just has more to hide… In hide-and-go seek the seeker has to delay for the hiders to hide… boo! surpirse they are all corrupt…is anyone really surprised?

Rick Day January 21, 2010 at 4:38 pm

I understand they have been very busy having lunches with AGL’s new lobbyist.

*smirk*

Mayonnaise January 21, 2010 at 4:42 pm

Maybe McBerry is waiting for for the price of silver to go up before he releases his totals?

Tireless January 21, 2010 at 5:22 pm

Someone should ask Roy Barnes what he thinks about these “late filers”.

mitchmartin January 21, 2010 at 8:15 pm

Actually someone should ask Roy Barnes what he thinks about John Edwards admitting that he fathered a child out of wedlock. This is the same guy that he thought should be the leader of the free world. Nice.

GOPGeorgia January 21, 2010 at 10:21 pm

Why not ask him both questions?

Tinkerhell January 22, 2010 at 8:12 am

Can’t say about the rest but Lucas & his wife:

“You’re a crooked dirty jockey and you drive a crooked hoss”

Life and Liberty January 22, 2010 at 10:39 am

call the ethics office and request that they send you a complaint form.
It’s really easy to file, is free, and *will* trigger an investigation.
404-463-1980

rugby January 22, 2010 at 10:50 am

I would love to know which legislator/staffer is offering that suggestion…

Mad Dog January 22, 2010 at 12:54 pm

Just don’t claim it’s common knowledge… that the papers haven’t been filed.

Johnson might also make an argument that since no one can prove a negative, there’s no reason to investigate a claim that nothing was done.

polisavvy January 22, 2010 at 12:26 pm

News flash — day 14 and still no McBerry filing. Just checked the website. Defiance and disregard.

AthensRepublican January 22, 2010 at 12:31 pm

McBerry is such a non-factor in this race that few have even noticed.

polisavvy January 22, 2010 at 12:51 pm

True. He is irrelevant. I just find it crazy that he would actually still be going forward with his pipe dream and not obey the laws.

polisavvy January 22, 2010 at 4:35 pm

According to SWGA, Mr. Irrelevant has had an Ethics Complaint filed against him.

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