The Georgia Senate has initiated an investigation into campaign finance violations involving Stacey Abrams’ voter advocacy organization, the New Georgia Project, as well as its Action Fund.
On Monday, the Senate Select Committee on Investigations revealed that it has issued subpoenas to Abrams and other leaders from the New Georgia Project, namely Loren Groh-Wargo and Nce Ufort. They are set to appear at the state Capitol this Friday at 10 a.m., according to reports.
“This committee has a responsibility to follow the facts wherever they lead,” stated Republican state Senator Greg Dolezal, who serves as vice chairman of the committee. He emphasized, “Georgia law demands transparency and accountability in elections.”
The Georgia Ethics Commission issued the subpoenas after discovering in 2018 that the New Georgia Project and its Action Fund had breached campaign finance laws. Earlier this year, the organization acknowledged 16 violations and agreed to a $300,000 penalty, marking the largest campaign finance fine in state history.
Ultimately, the New Georgia Project was disbanded and closed last year due to various financial and legal challenges.
Republicans have stated that the purpose of this investigation is to uncover who made the decisions leading to the violations and how the funds were managed.
“The citizens of Georgia deserve to know who was involved, what decisions were made, and how millions of dollars were funneled to groups that admitted to breaking campaign finance laws,” Dolezal remarked.
Georgia’s Republican Lt. Gov. Bert Jones remarked in a statement, “Certain individuals in Georgia disregard the law.”
He further added:
“For organizations to secretly spend millions to sway elections while sidestepping disclosure laws erodes trust in our democratic system. The Senate is committed to seeking the truth and ensuring accountability, irrespective of party affiliation.”
Lawmakers report that more hearings and testimonies can be expected in the weeks ahead.
Abrams acknowledged the subpoena through a post, labeling the move as “a partisan and staged hearing intended to intimidate and disarm voting rights advocates in Georgia and nationwide.”
“Despite whatever intentions they may attribute to me, I plan to respond on a day when both sides can come together,” she stated.
“It’s no coincidence that I was called just days after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned protections for minority voting rights and after I testified against the unacceptable voter suppression occurring in several Southern states,” she added.
Abrams, who previously served as a Democratic congresswoman and lost to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp in both 2018 and 2022, has decided against another run for governor, opting instead to focus on activism.
