State News | The Georgia Star News

Governor Brian Kemp Signs Anti-Human Trafficking Legislation

April 26, 2024April 25, 2024 Debra McClure

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed multiple anti-human trafficking bills into law on Wednesday to hold both “traffickers and buyers” accountable.

“For years Georgia was considered a hot spot for human trafficking,” said Governor Kemp in a press release on Wednesday, “but thanks to the GRACE Commission, under the leadership of First Lady Marty Kemp, we have established Georgia as a national leader in this fight by passing legislation that cracks down on both traffickers and buyers while also, and even more importantly, empowering survivors.”

‘Stop Cop City’ Protesters Confronted by Police over Emory University Campus Encampment for Palestine

April 26, 2024April 25, 2024 Tom Pappert

The Stop Cop City movement reported on Thursday that Georgia State Police confronted its protesters as they attempted to create a pro-Palestine encampment on the Emory University campus.

A post to the social media platform X by Stop Cop City activists claims “an encampment in the Emory quad” was established at 7:30 a.m. “to demand total divestment from Israeli apartheid and Cop City,” the activists’ preferred term for the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center.

Activists Push Georgia Nikki Haley Supporters to Vote for Joe Biden in November

April 25, 2024April 24, 2024 Tom Pappert

A super PAC that previously supported former ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley in the Republican primary cycle is now reportedly targeting her Republican supporters in Georgia on behalf of President Joe Biden.

The super PAC previously known as Primary Pivot formerly urged Democratic and unaffiliated voters to cast ballots for Haley in Republican primary contests, but rebranded after Haley dropped out of the race.

Meadows, Giuliani and Other Former Trump Aides Indicted in Arizona 2020 Election Probe

April 24, 2024April 24, 2024 The Center Square

An Arizona grand jury on Wednesday indicted former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, Rudy Giuliani, and five other former aides to former President Donald Trump on felony charges related to alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

Empty Podium to Represent Fani Willis as Georgia Prosecutor Declines Televised Primary Debate

April 24, 2024April 23, 2024 Tom Pappert

An empty podium will represent Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis after her campaign declined to participate in a debate with her primary challenger, Christian Wise Smith, it was reported Monday.

The Atlanta Press Club will live stream more than nine hours for its Loudermilk-Young Debate Series on April 28, with the event originally scheduled to culminate with a debate between Willis and Wise Smith.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis Receives ‘Woman of Influence’ Award from Cobb County Democrats

April 23, 2024 Tom Pappert

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis received the Woman of Influence Award from the Cobb County Democratic Committee in a Friday gala aimed at attracting political donations.

Willis was confirmed as an attendee by the Cobb County Democratic Committee’s acting chair Essence Johnson, according to Fox 5 Atlanta, which reported Willis “was honored with the Woman of Influence Award.”

California Judge Who Disbarred Trump’s Former Attorney John Eastman Funneled Money to Super PAC Fighting Election Integrity

April 22, 2024 Rachel Alexander

California disciplinary court Judge Yvette Roland (pictured above), who disbarred Trump’s former attorney and constitutional legal scholar John Eastman last month, contributed to a Democratic PAC last year which funneled all of the contributions to a Super PAC that seeks to stop “undermining the most basic tenet of our democracy, the right to vote.” Despite the fact that the charges against Eastman were all related to his efforts investigating and stopping election corruption in the 2020 election, Roland did not recuse herself.

Fulton County Sheriff Candidates Point to More Guards, Better Housing Needed to Stop Wave of Prison Inmate Deaths

April 22, 2024April 23, 2024 Debra McClure

Candidates running for Fulton County Sheriff told voters at an ACLU of Georgia “Know Your Sheriff” town hall event on Tuesday they plan to improve prison conditions through a combination of additional staff, increased scrutiny of incoming inmates, and upgraded housing. Suggestions come in the wake of a slew of deaths in the county’s prison system.

As part of the event, candidates completed a questionnaire to inform voters about their position on issues. One question asked, “Since 2022, over 20 people have died in the custody of the Fulton County Sheriff’s department. What plans do you have to improve the safety of the Fulton County Jail?”

Georgia U.S. Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene Blasts DHS Secretary Mayorkas: Probably the Best Business Partner Cartels Could Ever Have

April 22, 2024 Debra McClure

U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA-14), a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, told Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas that he was “probably the best business partner” cartels “could ever have” in a hearing on Tuesday.

“Mr. Secretary…you’ve allowed the cartels to make billions and billions. As a matter of fact, you’re probably the best business partner they could ever have,” she said, and added, “They make all this money in human trafficking and drug trafficking at our border. You’ve allowed approximately 300 Americans to be murdered every single day from fentanyl that comes across our border….”

Cobb County School District Superintendent Chris Ragsdale Announces Removal of Inappropriate Books from Media Centers

April 21, 2024April 20, 2024 Debra McClure

Cobb County School District (CCSD) Superintendent Chris Ragsdale announced the removal of four books containing “lewd, “vulgar,” and “sexually explicit” content from school media centers in a Board of Education meeting Thursday night.

“Tonight, I am announcing that four additional books are being removed after having gone through our very thorough district process: ‘It Ends with Us,’ ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower,’ ‘Lucky,’ and ‘Thirteen Reasons Why.’ The review found all four of these books to contain lewd, vulgar, and sexually explicit and graphic content inappropriate for a public school,” Superintendent Ragsdale said during the meeting.

Georgia House Republicans ‘Take Postmaster General DeJoy to Task’ for State’s ‘Mail Service Delivery Breakdowns’ in Joint Letter

April 20, 2024April 19, 2024 Debra McClure

Georgia House Republicans criticized Postmaster General Louis DeJoy of the United States Postal Service (USPS) for “mail service delivery breakdowns” in the Peach State, demanding answers in a joint letter on Monday.

A press release on Rep. Barry Loudermilk’s (R-GA-11)website says that in the letter, Georgia lawmakers “take Postmaster General DeJoy to task and describe the many frustrations constituents are facing with the delays in delivery and receipt of their mail…” and want “answers to several questions regarding the mail service delivery breakdowns.”

Fani Willis’ Alleged Failure to File Timely Paperwork Prompts Judge to Threaten Court on Weekends in Young Thug Trial

April 19, 2024April 18, 2024 Tom Pappert

The office of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is once again under fire from a judge as prosecutors face the possibility of court on the weekend due to an alleged failure to make timely court filings in the Young Slime Life trial.

Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville raised his voice at a member of Willis’ office during court on Wednesday, with the judge threatening defense attorney Max Shardt and Fulton County Assistant District Attorney Adriane Love with court on the weekends over the case’s slow progress.

Democrat Challenging Judge Overseeing Georgia Trump Case Now Under Investigation

April 18, 2024April 17, 2024 Tom Pappert

The Democrat challenging Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee is reportedly under investigation by a Georgia watchdog over campaign materials that referred to him as an elected judge.

Robert Patillo is under investigation by a panel at the Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) over “campaign conduct” involving his former campaign website and current campaign email, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Wednesday.

Fani Willis Challenges Open Records Lawsuit Seeking White House Communications

April 17, 2024April 17, 2024 Just the News

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ office claimed in court papers that it is “an entity not capable of being sued” and has moved to dismiss an open records lawsuit from Just the News to obtain communications between her office and the Biden White House.

The district attorney’s office cites unsettled immunities under Georgia law and claims the records requested are “statutorily exempt from disclosure under the Open Records Act,” according to the court filing earlier this month.

Fulton County Sheriff Candidate Kirt Beasley Questions Reports of Jail Walls Crumbling

April 17, 2024April 16, 2024 Tom Pappert

Fulton County Sheriff’s candidate Kirt Beasley, who is challenging embattled Sheriff Pat Labat in the Democratic primary, questioned the veracity of reports about the Fulton County Jail that began during Labat’s tenure.

Reports from the jail claim the walls are crumbling to such a degree that inmates are able to disassemble them to create makeshift weapons, and at least two inmates were entrusted by Labat to testify about the jail’s conditions to the Fulton County Commission last year.

Atlanta Public Safety Training Center Slated to Open January 2025 Despite Opposition

April 16, 2024 Tom Pappert

The Atlanta Police Department (APD) confirmed on Monday that the controversial Atlanta Public Safety Training Center is slated to open in January 2025 despite years of protests, demonstrations and violence aimed at preventing its construction.

A video posted to the social media platform X by APD on Monday showed former Chief Rodney Bryant and former Assitant Chief Todd Coyt viewing the site of the safety training center. Bryant was previously instrumental in pushing for the center.

Georgia Democrats Call for Probe of $1.1 Billion Contract

April 15, 2024 The Center Square

Georgia Democrats want an investigation after they said a state audit surfaced questions about whether Gov. Brian Kemp’s administration circumvented state contracting requirements, potentially for political gain.

It’s not immediately clear which state or federal agencies might lead the probe, and Democrats said they haven’t formally requested an investigation.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona Refuses to Define What a Woman Is When Asked by Georgia Representative

April 14, 2024April 13, 2024 Debra McClure

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona refused to define what a woman is during a committee meeting this week.

“I’m here to talk about the budget and if you’d have a question about the budget, I’d be happy to respond,” he said, in part.

Federal Judge Dismisses Challenge to Georgia’s Citizenship Verification Process

April 13, 2024April 12, 2024 The Center Square

A federal judge has granted a motion to dismiss a challenge to Georgia’s citizenship verification process, state officials said.

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross granted Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s motion to dismiss.

Judge Scott McAfee Under ‘Tremendous Amount of Pressure’ in Georgia Trump Case, Argues Democrat Seeking His Judgeship

April 12, 2024April 11, 2024 Tom Pappert

The Democrat challenging Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee claimed the incumbent is under “tremendous” pressure due to the Georgia case against former President Donald Trump brought by District Attorney Fani Willis.

Robert Patillo, the former executive director of the Rainbow PUSH social justice group started by Reverend Jessee Jackson who is now challenging McAfee, made the remarks in a Wednesday interview with WSB-TV.

O.J. Simpson Dies at Age 76

April 11, 2024 Just the News

O.J. Simpson died following a cancer battle, his family announced Thursday. He was 76.

Biden DOJ Confirms ‘Inconsistencies’ in How Fani Willis Spent Federal Grant Money

April 11, 2024April 10, 2024 Tom Pappert

A Wednesday report reveals the Department of Justice (DOJ) admitted to “inconsistencies” in how Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis used federal grant money.

A DOJ official admitted this to The Washington Free Beacon regarding a $448,000 federal grant dispersed to Willis’ office.

Georgia, South Carolina Port Operations Could Be Affected by Baltimore Collision

April 10, 2024April 9, 2024 The Center Square

While the discussion continues following the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, several opportunities to improve operations and processes have emerged.

Officials at Georgia’s and South Carolina’s ports have vowed to help however they can.

Biden Campaign Hires Staff, Opens New Offices in Georgia as Polls Show Him Losing to Trump and Donors Sound Alarm

April 10, 2024April 9, 2024 Tom Pappert

The campaign to reelect President Joe Biden announced it hired new staff and a series of new offices in Georgia last week. The decision to expand Biden’s political operation in Georgia comes as former President Donald Trump continues to poll ahead of the Democrat in surveys of Peach State voters.

Biden’s campaign reportedly confirmed the addition of seven new offices and nine new full-time campaign workers in Georgia, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The outlet reported a Biden spokesman claimed “the seven offices will be open by mid-April.”

California Disciplinary Judge Issues 128-page Opinion Disbarring Trump’s Former Attorney John Eastman

April 9, 2024 Rachel Alexander

California Bar Disciplinary Judge Yvette Roland disbarred Donald Trump’s former attorney and constitutional legal scholar John Eastman.

Trump Co-Defendant Demands Fani Willis Recuse Herself, Claims She Illegally Recorded Phone Call

April 9, 2024April 8, 2024 Tom Pappert

A co-defendant of President Donald Trump in the Georgia election case brought by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis demanded her resignation on Thursday.

Harrison Floyd, who remains a defendant in the Georgia case against Trump, posted to X a screen shot of an Atlanta Journal-Constitution article that reports Willis’ office recorded a phone call with his Maryland-based attorney.

‘Operation Ghost Busted’ Drug Dealer Sentence Among Highest for Two Overdose Fatalities in Georgia

April 8, 2024 Debra McClure

A Glynn County resident, sentenced to 20 years in federal prison as part of Operation Ghost Busted, pled guilty to trafficking the drugs responsible for two overdose fatalities.

32-year-old Jon Dillon Screen of Brunswick, Georgia, pled guilty to trafficking drugs, including the fentanyl that killed Screen’s girlfriend and a man from Brunswick.

Georgia Public Service Commission Says Railroad Can Condemn Land for Spur

April 7, 2024April 6, 2024 The Center Square

A Georgia Public Service Commission hearing officer has ruled a railroad can take private land from several Sparta property owners, saying its proposed rail spur “serves a legitimate public purpose.”

The Sandersville Railroad, a Class III short line railroad that has served the area since 1893, petitioned the PSC on March 8, 2023, to condemn land for a proposed 4.5-mile-long spur. The railroad subsequently moved to condemn additional land.

Analysis: The Future of Georgia’s Foreign Ownership Land Ban

April 6, 2024April 5, 2024 The Center Square

Georgia lawmakers have passed legislation that ostensibly bans “foreign adversaries” from owning agricultural land or property near a military base or airport, but one expert said it’s not clear the measure can stand up to judicial scrutiny.

Proponents say they crafted Senate Bill 420 in response to a Department of Agriculture report from 202 that found that China had roughly 384,000 acres of agricultural land across the country, a 30% increase from 2019 to 2020.

D.C. Bar Disciplinary Panel Makes Nonbinding Preliminary Determination of Culpability for a ‘Thought Crime’ in Disbarment Trial of Trump’s Former DOJ Official Jeffrey Clark

April 5, 2024 Rachel Alexander

The disciplinary trial of Donald Trump’s former DOJ official Jeffrey Clark wrapped up on Thursday with the D.C. Bar’s disciplinary panel making a nonbinding preliminary determination that Clark was culpable on at least one of the two counts against him.

Nathan Wade Cut Off Wife’s Medical Bills, Funds for Son’s European Soccer Career Amid Georgia Trump Prosecution Drama: Court Document

April 5, 2024April 4, 2024 Tom Pappert

Former special counsel Nathan Wade has refused to pay for his estranged wife’s medical treatments and cut off financial support for his children’s studies after he resigned from the Georgia case against former President Donald Trump, a divorce filing by his wife Joycelyn Wade claims.

Joycelyn Wade asked the Cobb County Superior Court to hold her husband in contempt after she asserted he violated their previous divorce settlement, which was announced on January 30, by refusing to pay for her medical treatments.

During Jeffrey Clark’s Disbarment Trial, Cyber Security Expert Says Georgia’s 2020 Election Was Not ‘Conducted According to the Law’

April 4, 2024 Rachel Alexander

The second and final week of the disbarment trial of Donald Trump’s former DOJ official, Jeffrey Clark, began to wind down on Wednesday with more testimony from operations security expert Harry Haury.

Georgia GOP Chair Josh McKoon Asks Party Official to Resign Following Illegal Voting Ruling

April 4, 2024April 3, 2024 Tom Pappert

Georgia Republican Party (GAGOP) Chair Josh McKoon on Wednesday confirmed rumors he requested the resignation of the party’s 1st vice chairman, Brian Pritchard, following the revelation he violated the state’s election laws by illegally voting despite being on probation for forgery.

McKoon wrote in a post to the social media platform X that he requested Pritchard’s resignation before making the request public.

Georgia Election Integrity Expert Lists Significant Fraud in State’s 2020 Election at Jeffrey Clark’s Disbarment Trial

April 3, 2024April 3, 2024 Rachel Alexander

The disbarment trial of Donald Trump’s former DOJ official, Jeffrey Clark, continued into its second and final week on Tuesday, featuring testimony from three witnesses for him.

VoterGA Celebrates ‘Landmark’ Election Integrity Bills Passed by Georgia Legislature

April 3, 2024April 2, 2024 Tom Pappert

Garland Favorito, who leads the election integrity group VoterGA, said the recent series of election integrity bills passed by the Georgia General Assembly create “landmark features” and will serve as an example to states looking to secure their voting procedures.

A press release by VoterGA highlights legislation, passed by lawmakers, which bans “unverifiable QR-coded voting and improve election transparency by making physical ballots public record.”

Former Fulton County Elections Official Explains Why He Voted Against Certification Twice During Jeffrey Clark’s Disbarment Trial

April 2, 2024April 2, 2024 Rachel Alexander

The second week of the disbarment trial of Donald Trump’s former DOJ official, Jeffrey Clark, resumed its second week on Monday. Clark, who is also a defendant in Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ RICO prosecution, is being disciplined for drafting a letter that was never sent to Georgia officials after the 2020 election advising them of their options for dealing with the election illegalities.

ACLU Threatens Lawsuit if Governor Kemp Signs New Georgia Election Bill

April 2, 2024April 3, 2024 Tom Pappert

Georgia’s chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) declared on Friday it will sue the state if Governor Brian Kemp signs a bill, already approved by lawmakers, to strengthen election integrity in the state.

The legislation, SB 189, removes the Secretary of State from the Georgia Board of Elections, creates new conflict of interest provisions for election officials and private individuals involved with the election process, revises the process for challenging presidential electors and creates new chain of custody requirements for mail-in ballots.

Fani Willis Invokes ‘Race’ in First Speech Since Being Chastised by Judge over Race-Based Church Speech

April 1, 2024April 1, 2024 Tom Pappert

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis invoked race in her first public speech since Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee cautioned her about invoking race during a previous speech delivered from the pulpit of an Atlanta church.

The district attorney made the remarks about race at the South Fulton Women of the Shield Awards on Friday, stating, “It’s hard out here always having to prove yourself two and three times.”

Georgia Lawmakers Approve Budget as Session Ends

March 31, 2024March 30, 2024 The Center Square

Georgia lawmakers signed off on the fiscal year 2025 budget in the final hours of this year’s legislative session but did not pass a bill to allow sports betting.

Lawmakers gave the nod to a more than $66.8 billion state budget for fiscal 2025, which starts July 1. The spending plan, which anticipates $36.1 billion in state money and $19 billion in federal taxpayer funds, includes pay raises for public school teachers and state law enforcement officers.

Georgia Association of Educators Pushes Woke Social Justice Activist Curriculum

March 30, 2024March 29, 2024 Debra McClure

The Georgia Association of Educators is advancing far-left gender ideology, Critical Race Theory, and social justice activist curriculum for members of its organization.

The Georgia Association of Educators (GAE), an affiliate of the National Educators Association (NEA), promotes racial justice education materials from various sources, including those offered by NEA, whose organization claims that racism is “systemic” and “is so deeply rooted in our history, culture and institutions that there’s no escaping it.”

Georgia Senate Passes Bill Defending Women’s Sports

March 29, 2024 Debra McClure

The Georgia Senate passed a bill protecting women’s sports by 33 to 21 on Tuesday that would prevent biological males from unfairly competing in women’s and K-12 girls’ sports. The bill awaits transfer to the House for continued discussion.

HB 1104 seeks to safeguard “students from harm” and maintain “competitive fairness” in school sports by requiring athletes to compete in activities based on the gender listed on their birth certificate. The bill states that local schools may have “separate teams for members of each sex where selection for such teams is based upon competitive skill, competitive fairness, student safety or the activity involved is a contact sport.”

‘Stop Cop City’ Protesters Arrested After Chaining Themselves to Crane at Future Atlanta Public Safety Training Center

March 29, 2024March 28, 2024 Tom Pappert

Two protesters representing the “Stop Cop City” movement were arrested at the site of the future Atlanta Public Safety Training Center on Wednesday after police say they chained themselves to a crane and unfurled a banner with the words “Drop Cop City,” indicating their opposition to the training center.

The Atlanta Police Department (APD) confirmed a the incident in a post to the social media platform X.

Georgia Senate Passes Bill to Defund Sanctuary Cities

March 28, 2024March 27, 2024 Debra McClure

A bill to strengthen immigration enforcement and accountability passed the Georgia Senate by a vote of 33-18 last Thursday. HB 301 would remove funding from sanctuary cities refusing to follow immigration laws within the state. The bill awaits transfer to the House for further consideration.

The measure aims to hold officials accountable and allow local “governing bodies” to lose eligibility for “certain state and federal funds” when “the prohibition on immigration sanctuary policies” is violated.

Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones Celebrates Passage of ‘Save Our Homes Act’ to Cap Property Tax Increases

March 28, 2024March 27, 2024 Tom Pappert

Georgia Lt. Governor Burt Jones on Tuesday celebrated the passage of legislation he championed to restrict property tax increases and offer property owners a chance to appeal decisions about how much they pay.

Jones said in a statement that HB 581, the Save Our Homes Act, “limits increases in property taxes years to year, reforms the appeals process, and allows for more transparency in our taxation procedures.”

Atlanta Democrat Confirms Primary Campaign Against Fani Willis

March 27, 2024March 26, 2024 Tom Pappert

Former Fulton County prosecutor Christian Wise Smith confirmed on Monday he will launch a primary challenge against District Attorney Fani Willis, and promised to focus on “victim-centered prosecution” if he successfully unseats Willis.

Wise Smith on Monday confirmed in a statement that he is “committed to competing in the May primary against Willis,” according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The former candidate for Georgia Attorney General previously filed paperwork to run against Willis, but said he was “weighing his options” and would reach a formal decision in “the coming weeks.”

Attorney Who Exposed Fani Willis, Nathan Wade Affair Expects Disqualification Appeal to Last Six Months, Will Not be Resolved Before Election

March 26, 2024 Tom Pappert

Atty Ashleigh Merchant and defendant Mike Roman

The attorney who revealed the affair between Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and former special prosecutor Nathan Wade predicted on Monday the latest appeal to disqualify the district attorney will take up to six months, likely eliminating the possibility of the Georgia election case against former President Donald Trump going to trial before November.

Attorney Ashleigh Merchant said during a Monday appearance on Fox & Friends that she does not see “any way” Willis could receive a final confirmation she will not be disqualified from the Trump case in Georgia before the November elections.

Georgia Senate Passes Measure to Lower State’s Income Tax

March 26, 2024 The Center Square

The Georgia Senate approved a measure Wednesday to lower the state’s income tax to 5.39% from 5.49%.

The state Senate voted 40-12 in favor of House Bill 1015, sending the measure to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who is expected to sign it.

Fani Willis Claims She’s ‘Not Embarrassed’ by Disqualification Proceedings in Georgia Trump Case, Denies Damage to Reputation

March 25, 2024 Tom Pappert

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis denied she is “embarrassed” by the disqualification proceedings against her and claimed her reputation was undamaged by the public questioning of her decision to appoint her former lover, Nathan Wade, as the special prosecutor overseeing her case against former President Donald Trump.

The district attorney delivered the remarks to CNN on Saturday while attending an Easter giveaway in Fulton County.

Georgia’s Unemployment Rate Remains Flat in February

March 25, 2024 The Center Square

Georgia’s February unemployment rate remained unchanged from the revised January rate, labor officials said Thursday.

State officials said the Peach State’s 3.1% unemployment rate is below the national rate of 3.9%. Last week, state officials said Georgia’s January unemployment rate dropped to 3.1%, the first drop in more than a year after holding at 3.2% in 2023.

Georgia Election Official Seeking New Term Voted on Cases Involving His Lobbyist Clients

March 24, 2024March 23, 2024 Just the News

Georgia State Election Board (SEB) member Edward Lindsey is up for reconfirmation before the state House amid new revelations that he has voted on cases involving counties for which he is a lobbyist.

Lindsey, who was appointed to the SEB position on Jan. 7, 2022, is a lobbyist for both Cobb County and DeKalb County, according to the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission. The two counties are among the top five most populous in Georgia, which has 159 counties.