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Georgia Ethics Commission won't investigate source of Republican Burt Jones' $10M loan

time14 hours ago

  • Business

Georgia Ethics Commission won't investigate source of Republican Burt Jones' $10M loan

ATLANTA -- Georgia's State Ethics Commission on Monday declined to investigate whether Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones broke state law when he loaned $10 million to a campaign committee after showing far less cash on an earlier financial disclosure. However, a request for a legal opinion on whether such loans are legal is still pending before the ethics body. Bryan Tyson, a lawyer for Attorney General Chris Carr had made the complaint Thursday. Carr is running against Jones for the 2026 Republican nomination for governor. The GOP primary is next May, followed by the general election in November 2026. Gov. Brian Kemp legally can't run again after two terms. Ethics Commission Director David Emadi on Monday wrote back that the commission was rejecting the complaint and wouldn't investigate because it didn't allege a legal violation. Jones' 2022 financial disclosure showed Jones had a net worth of $12.4 million, but only $700,000 in cash and securities. Carr's campaign questioned how Jones could have come up with $10 million in cash, suggesting Jones had falsely reported either his finances then or the source of the cash now, But Emadi wrote the 2022 report 'does not form a factual and legal basis to investigate an alleged false or incorrect filing regarding a loan made in a campaign disclosure report more than three years later.' Julia Mazzone, a Carr spokesperson, said Carr 'respectfully' disagrees with the decision, calling the source of Jones' case 'mysterious.' Jones spokesperson Kendyl Parker said the complaint was a 'pathetic cry for attention' and called the decision 'the first of many losses for the Carr campaign.' Still pending is the Carr campaign's request for an advisory opinion arguing that Jones was prohibited from making the loan to his leadership committee, a special fundraising vehicle that allows the governor, lieutenant governor and legislative leaders to raise unlimited funds. Tyson argued that under Georgia law, loans can be made only to a candidate committee, not to a freestanding political action committee or a leadership committee. Carr's campaign has been voicing concerns for months that Jones will use his leadership committee and his family wealth from a string of gas stations to outspend them in the primary. Campaign officials cite a 2022 federal judge's ruling

Georgia Ethics Commission won't investigate source of Republican Burt Jones' $10M loan
Georgia Ethics Commission won't investigate source of Republican Burt Jones' $10M loan

Winnipeg Free Press

time15 hours ago

  • Business
  • Winnipeg Free Press

Georgia Ethics Commission won't investigate source of Republican Burt Jones' $10M loan

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia's State Ethics Commission on Monday declined to investigate whether Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones broke state law when he loaned $10 million to a campaign committee after showing far less cash on an earlier financial disclosure. However, a request for a legal opinion on whether such loans are legal is still pending before the ethics body. Bryan Tyson, a lawyer for Attorney General Chris Carr had made the complaint Thursday. Carr is running against Jones for the 2026 Republican nomination for governor. The GOP primary is next May, followed by the general election in November 2026. Gov. Brian Kemp legally can't run again after two terms. Ethics Commission Director David Emadi on Monday wrote back that the commission was rejecting the complaint and wouldn't investigate because it didn't allege a legal violation. Jones' 2022 financial disclosure showed Jones had a net worth of $12.4 million, but only $700,000 in cash and securities. Carr's campaign questioned how Jones could have come up with $10 million in cash, suggesting Jones had falsely reported either his finances then or the source of the cash now, But Emadi wrote the 2022 report 'does not form a factual and legal basis to investigate an alleged false or incorrect filing regarding a loan made in a campaign disclosure report more than three years later.' Julia Mazzone, a Carr spokesperson, said Carr 'respectfully' disagrees with the decision, calling the source of Jones' case 'mysterious.' Jones spokesperson Kendyl Parker said the complaint was a 'pathetic cry for attention' and called the decision 'the first of many losses for the Carr campaign.' Still pending is the Carr campaign's request for an advisory opinion arguing that Jones was prohibited from making the loan to his leadership committee, a special fundraising vehicle that allows the governor, lieutenant governor and legislative leaders to raise unlimited funds. Tyson argued that under Georgia law, loans can be made only to a candidate committee, not to a freestanding political action committee or a leadership committee. Carr's campaign has been voicing concerns for months that Jones will use his leadership committee and his family wealth from a string of gas stations to outspend them in the primary. Campaign officials cite a 2022 federal judge's ruling that a leadership committee for Kemp could not spend money against challenger David Perdue during the Republican primary that year because it would violate Perdue's free speech rights.

Georgia Ethics Commission won't investigate source of Republican Burt Jones' $10M loan
Georgia Ethics Commission won't investigate source of Republican Burt Jones' $10M loan

Hamilton Spectator

time15 hours ago

  • Business
  • Hamilton Spectator

Georgia Ethics Commission won't investigate source of Republican Burt Jones' $10M loan

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia's State Ethics Commission on Monday declined to investigate whether Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones broke state law when he loaned $10 million to a campaign committee after showing far less cash on an earlier financial disclosure. However, a request for a legal opinion on whether such loans are legal is still pending before the ethics body. Bryan Tyson, a lawyer for Attorney General Chris Carr had made the complaint Thursday. Carr is running against Jones for the 2026 Republican nomination for governor. The GOP primary is next May, followed by the general election in November 2026. Gov. Brian Kemp legally can't run again after two terms. Ethics Commission Director David Emadi on Monday wrote back that the commission was rejecting the complaint and wouldn't investigate because it didn't allege a legal violation. Jones' 2022 financial disclosure showed Jones had a net worth of $12.4 million, but only $700,000 in cash and securities. Carr's campaign questioned how Jones could have come up with $10 million in cash, suggesting Jones had falsely reported either his finances then or the source of the cash now, But Emadi wrote the 2022 report 'does not form a factual and legal basis to investigate an alleged false or incorrect filing regarding a loan made in a campaign disclosure report more than three years later.' Julia Mazzone, a Carr spokesperson, said Carr 'respectfully' disagrees with the decision, calling the source of Jones' case 'mysterious.' Jones spokesperson Kendyl Parker said the complaint was a 'pathetic cry for attention' and called the decision 'the first of many losses for the Carr campaign.' Still pending is the Carr campaign's request for an advisory opinion arguing that Jones was prohibited from making the loan to his leadership committee, a special fundraising vehicle that allows the governor, lieutenant governor and legislative leaders to raise unlimited funds. Tyson argued that under Georgia law, loans can be made only to a candidate committee, not to a freestanding political action committee or a leadership committee. Carr's campaign has been voicing concerns for months that Jones will use his leadership committee and his family wealth from a string of gas stations to outspend them in the primary. Campaign officials cite a 2022 federal judge's ruling that a leadership committee for Kemp could not spend money against challenger David Perdue during the Republican primary that year because it would violate Perdue's free speech rights. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .

Manitoba urged to use Big Tobacco cash to combat youth addiction
Manitoba urged to use Big Tobacco cash to combat youth addiction

Winnipeg Free Press

timea day ago

  • Health
  • Winnipeg Free Press

Manitoba urged to use Big Tobacco cash to combat youth addiction

A coalition is urging the Manitoba government to use some of its Big Tobacco settlement to set up a research and education foundation to prevent the next generation from being addicted to nicotine. 'We need to empower our kids and help them understand how dangerous nicotine is,' said epidemiologist Cynthia Carr, executive director of the Manitoba Tobacco Reduction Alliance. Ahead of the start of the claims process, Manitoba should prepare to invest some of its estimated $1.1-billion settlement toward prevention efforts targeting youth, she said. 'Punitive approaches don't work,' said Carr, who's with the non-profit whose members include the Canadian Cancer Society, Manitoba Lung Association, University of Manitoba, Pharmacists Manitoba. 'Once you're addicted to something or once you think what your friends are doing is cool, once you think that's a social enabler and you're suddenly popular and part of the crowd because you're doing what everybody else is doing, the fear of punishment is not helpful, ' Carr said. MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS FILES Epidemiologist Cynthia Carr said she hopes the province sets aside enough — she suggested $25 million — for a foundation to nip nicotine addiction in the bud. MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS FILES Epidemiologist Cynthia Carr said she hopes the province sets aside enough — she suggested $25 million — for a foundation to nip nicotine addiction in the bud. The Manitoba government is expected to receive $1.119 billion, including $281 million up front, minus legal fees, with the rest paid out from tobacco company profits over the next 20 years, as part of the historic $32.5 billion court-approved settlement in March. In 2012, Manitoba joined other provinces in a lawsuit against Big Tobacco — Imperial Tobacco Canada Ltd., Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc., and JTI-Macdonald Corp., as well as their foreign parent companies — to recover the cost of providing health care for tobacco-related illnesses. Premier Wab Kinew said last month that Manitoba's settlement money is earmarked for a new CancerCare site. 'We're going to invest every single dollar in curing cancer, in fighting cancer and supporting cancer patients every step of the way,' Kinew said while announcing a new $1-billion CancerCare building. On Monday, Kinew was attending a premiers meeting in Ontario and wasn't available to comment. His spokesperson said part of the settlement will be spent on prevention. JENNY KANE / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES In 2012, Manitoba joined other provinces in a lawsuit against Big Tobacco to recover the cost of providing health care for tobacco-related illnesses. In 2012, Manitoba joined other provinces in a lawsuit against Big Tobacco to recover the cost of providing health care for tobacco-related illnesses. Carr said she hopes the province sets aside enough — she suggested $25 million — for a foundation to nip nicotine addiction in the bud. 'The opportunity and the greater good is to take a portion of those monies and invest in prevention, education and empowerment, particularly of our young people, who are of course the targets of these companies that need your money to keep going.' After the upfront disbursement to the Manitoba government, the balance of the settlement money is to be paid out in five-year increments, depending on the tobacco companies' after-tax profits from tobacco sales. Carr said that doesn't include alternative nicotine products such as vapes 'that are becoming more and more popular with kids for many reasons.' The alliance said 26 per cent of youth in grades 10 to 12 and seven per cent of grades 7 to 9 use vaping products, which puts them at risk of nicotine addiction and future tobacco use. The epidemiologist said she's concerned youth will be at an even greater risk for target marketing of nicotine vapes and pouches. The $32.5-billion settlement includes nearly $25 billion for provincial and territorial governments. It also covers more than $4 billion for members of a Quebec class-action lawsuit, and more than $2.5 billion for smokers in other provinces and territories who were diagnosed with lung cancer, throat cancer or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease from March 2015 to March 2019. Another $1 billion was set aside to establish the Cy-près Foundation to fund research, programs and initiatives focused on improving outcomes in tobacco-related diseases. 'It's not focused on prevention,' Carr said, adding the province could establish a legacy foundation to encourage investment in research, innovation and expertise in Manitoba. 'It's a tiny investment… that will make a massive difference.' Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. Carol SandersLegislature reporter Carol Sanders is a reporter at the Free Press legislature bureau. The former general assignment reporter and copy editor joined the paper in 1997. Read more about Carol. Every piece of reporting Carol produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.

ESPN roster rankings: New Orleans Saints are NFL's worst team in 2025
ESPN roster rankings: New Orleans Saints are NFL's worst team in 2025

USA Today

timea day ago

  • Sport
  • USA Today

ESPN roster rankings: New Orleans Saints are NFL's worst team in 2025

It'll take some big 'ifs' to prove them wrong This isn't a good look for the New Orleans Saints. ESPN's Mike Clay, Seth Walder, and Aaron Schatz ranked every starting lineup in the NFL going into the 2025 season, and they agreed on one thing -- the Saints are, on paper, the worst team in the league. A lot of Saints fans would tell you the team's edge rushers are their biggest weakness, at least defensively. ESPN argues that's the best position group for New Orleans, and things only go downhill from there. Here's why Clay says the Saints' quarterback situation is their worst vulnerability: Derek Carr's sudden retirement has left the Saints in rebuild mode under center. Second-round rookie Tyler Shough is the best bet to emerge as a viable starter, and perhaps he'll be more pro-ready than most first-year QBs, considering he's 25 years old. Recent Day 3 fliers Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener struggled in relief of Carr last season. That's a valid take. Shough, Rattler, and Haener have combined for seven starts and no wins in the NFL. While Carr wasn't a top-10 quarterback by any measure, he did give the team some kind of baseline at the game's most important position. Working with total unknowns is concerning. But that's not all. So much of the Saints' hopes in fielding a competent offense (led by an inexperience quarterback) relies on solid protection up front. While New Orleans does have two first-round picks invested in their starting offensive tackles, Walder suggests things could go either way: Tackles Kelvin Banks Jr. and Taliese Fuaga. The latter struggled in pass protection as a rookie at left tackle, recording an 84% pass block win rate that ranked 57th out of 66 qualifying tackles. But this season, Fuaga is moving to his college position of right tackle. If he can improve, and if Banks can be decent in Year 1, the Saints could be looking at a long future with their tackles in place. Those are big "ifs," though. Maybe they're right and the Saints are about to trot out the NFL's worst roster with the league's youngest head coach, which could be a recipe for disaster. Maybe they're wrong to be so down on New Orleans. The Saints may have a thin depth chart, but we've seen enough big-time plays from this group in recent years to believe they can compete with anyone and win anywhere. That doesn't mean they're world-beaters primed for a Super Bowl run. It just means that writing them off in July might look silly come December.

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