Karen Handel - Part of the Problem
In January 2010, Republican gubernatorial candidate Karen Handel gave a speech railing against the corruption in the Capitol. But where was Handel before she gave up her duties to focus on her campaign for Governor? Nowhere to be found. She may talk a good game on ethics, but Karen Handel is just one of the same old crew that tainted our state government. She wants you to think she's the solution, but she's just part of the problem.
- Zoning for dollars
In 2005, while Chair of the Fulton County Commission, Handel received a contribution1 from an engineer connected with Unique Design and Construction.2 Four months after the contribution, a zoning modification requested by Unique Design and Construction sailed through Handel's Commission.3 Other entities with business before the Commission also contributed to Handel's campaign.4 Handel even received $10,000 in contributions from Fourth Quarter Properties5, a real estate company involved in a shady land deal6 with Handel's former boss, Sonny Perdue.
- Lobbyist gifts
As Secretary of State, Handel also received numerous gifts from lobbyists, including tickets to a Rolling Stones concert7, courtesy of mortgage giant Ameriquest.
1. Georgians for Karen Handel, Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report (12/31/05), page 1 [pdf]
2. Unique Construction and Design
3. Fulton County Board of Commissioners, Meeting Minutes (2/1/2006) [pdf]
4. Georgians for Karen Handel, Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report (12/31/05), [pdf]
5. Lobbyist Expenditure Report, State Ethics Commission, retrieved 01/07/10
6. "Democrats question Perdue's land deal," Chattanooga Times Free Press, 8/18/06
7. Lobbyist Expenditure Report, State Ethics Commission, retrieved 01/07/10
