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Stacey Abrams’ Nonprofit Voting Advocacy Group Faces $300K Fine for Campaign Finance Violations


ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 08: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams wipes her eye during a concession speech to supporters during an election-night party on November 8, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. Abrams lost her bid for governor to incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp in a rematch of their 2018 race. (Photo by Jessica McGowan/Getty Images)
Stacey Abrams, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, wipes away a tear during her concession speech to supporters at an election-night event on November 8, 2022, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jessica McGowan/Getty Images)

By OAN Staff Blake Wolf
5:57 PM – Thursday, January 16, 2025

The New Georgia Project, a nonprofit organization focused on voting advocacy and established by Stacey Abrams, who made an unsuccessful run for the Georgia gubernatorial seat, has received the largest penalty in Georgia’s history for violations regarding campaign financing.

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Founded by Abrams in 2013, the organization was led by Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) after she stepped down in 2017 and has been functioning as a charity capable of accepting tax-deductible contributions.

The reasons for her departure from the group in 2017 remain unclear.

Initially, the group aimed to register more young voters who lean progressive as well as minority voters.

Recently, the organization, along with The New Georgia Project Action Fund—which acted as its fundraising arm—consented to pay a $300,000 penalty after admitting to spending $3.2 million on Abrams’s campaign activities in 2018.

“On Wednesday, the State Ethics Commission entered into a consent agreement with the New Georgia Project and its Action Fund totaling $300,000,” the Georgia State Ethics Commission announced.

“This fine marks not only the largest penalty in Georgia’s Ethics Commission history but also seems to be the most significant ethics fine ever enforced by any state ethics commission in the U.S. relating to election and campaign finance issues,” the statement added.

“This signifies the most considerable instance of an organization illegally influencing our statewide elections in Georgia discovered to date, conveying a clear message to the public and potential wrongdoers that accountability will be enforced,” the State Ethics Commission stated.

The commissioners reached a unanimous decision to accept the resolution on Wednesday, marking the conclusion of a six-year legal dispute.

The nonprofit violated federal regulations by financing promotional materials and conducting door-to-door outreach for Abrams and other Democratic candidates without registering as a political action committee.

“The group expended a total of $3.2 million, representing the largest sum identified being funneled to unlawfully sway our elections,” noted David Emadi, executive director of the ethics commission.

The New Georgia Project expressed relief in being able to “finally move past this issue,” enabling them to “dedicate their efforts entirely to civically engaging and registering black, brown, and young voters in Georgia.”

“While we remain disappointed with the federal court’s reversal concerning the constitutionality of the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Act based solely on procedural issues, we embrace this outcome and are looking forward to turning the page on matters from over five years ago,” the organization added.

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