State Ethics changes

November 7, 2010 13:17 pm

by Jason · 7 comments

The AJC reports on the changes at the State Ethics Commission:

The Georgia State Ethics Commission on Thursday unanimously elected Patrick Millsaps as its chairman and Josh Belinfante as its vice chairman.

Both lawyers, Millsaps and Belinfante were appointed to the commission by Gov. Sonny Perdue. Belinfante served as Perdue’s chief legal adviser.

An ethics watchdog, the five-member commission enforces certain laws through investigations and hearings and can assess civil penalties and suspend or revoke lobbyists’ privileges.

The governor appoints three members to the panel. The state Senate Committee on Assignments appoints a fourth member and the speaker of the state House of Representatives appoints the fifth.

{ 7 comments }

fishtail November 7, 2010 at 1:29 pm

Boy, all Republican control now at the State Ethics Commission. I guess that’s what Georgia’s voters wanted.

macho November 7, 2010 at 2:32 pm

They didn’t want Tyrone Brooks on it.

Mike Hauncho November 7, 2010 at 8:42 pm

Josh Belinfante is a good friend and a great attorney. He will do well.

ready2rumble November 7, 2010 at 8:57 pm

Two great additions to the ethics commission.

Progressive Dem November 7, 2010 at 11:42 pm

Regardless of qualifications or good intenstions, it will be hard for anyone on this Commission to make a difference. The laws are weak and the commission is on a starvation budget.

CommonCauseGA November 9, 2010 at 12:14 pm

Common Cause Georgia (www.commoncause.org/ga or http://www.facebook.com/CommonCauseGeorgia) has been a premier watchdog of the State Ethics Commission for years. We’ve pushed hard to ensure the Commission has the authority, resources, and political will it needs to prevent, prosecute, and punish violations. We remain ready to assist the Commission, and persist in the demand for proper enforcement.

Harry November 9, 2010 at 10:17 pm

Thanks for all you do, and have done over the years.

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