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Elections Watchdogs Cite Ethics, Ask Karen Handel to Withdraw


ATLANTA, GA – Two leaders of elections watchdog groups, John Fortuin and Garland Favorito, called for former Secretary of State Karen Handel to withdraw her gubernatorial bid on the grounds of a lack of ethical conduct during her tenure as Secretary of State. The leaders also challenged state and local news media to investigate ethics questions for all candidates.



The charges of inappropriate ethics included evidence that:

  • She took tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from individuals directly connected to the voting machine vendor lobbyist, Massey and Bowers;

  • She reversed her position on Georgia’s unverifiable voting machines after accepting the contributions;

  • She allowed a voting machine vendor lobbyist to have undue influence and control over the Secretary of State office by appointing a partner of the lobbying firm as her deputy;

  • She conducted politically motivated investigations cited in many of the 60 impeachment articles filed in the General Assembly against her Inspector General, Shawn LaGrua;

John Fortuin, videographer of 6 years of State Election Board meetings, elaborated: “We believe there is clear evidence that the Secretary of State office has been an epicenter of political corruption for 8 years. Just like her predecessor Cathy Cox, Karen Handel has gotten a free pass from the media on ethics questions. Although the improprieties cited have been well documented for months and even years in some cases, only a couple of news media outlets have carried stories about them.”

To illustrate the point the leaders cited the Lowndes County State Election Board case 2008-00133. They contend that the impeachment articles and supporting documents clearly indicate that a voting machine technician was framed to cover-up violations committed by an elections supervisor who was an acquaintance of Karen Handel.

The HR1714 articles of impeachment filed by the General Assembly can be found at: http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/fulltext/hr1714.htm.

Documents concerning the Lowndes Co. State Election Board case can be found at http://www.voterga.org/more/index.cfm?Fuseaction=more_15727

Media Contacts: Garland Favorito (404) 664-4044


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