New reporting from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution adds “another intriguing wrinkle” to the monthslong mystery surrounding Georgians for Integrity, a secretive group that has spent at least $19.5 million attacking Burt Jones’ record of self-enrichment in public office.
The AJC revealed Monday that the same attorney who signed documents incorporating Georgians for Integrity also filed documents creating Alabama Patients First, a group that funded negative ads against Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama during a legal fight involving a hospital in Montgomery operated by Jackson’s billion-dollar health care firm.
Jackson has denied any association with Georgians for Integrity, but Jones has accused Jackson of being behind the group, with Jones’ campaign spokesperson writing on February 13 that Jackson “is the likely funder of a $15 million subversion of Georgia ethics laws.”
This comes as Georgians for Integrity faces state ethics charges related to violating Georgia lobbying and campaign finance laws, and adds to the chaos and infighting that has defined this extremely messy GOP gubernatorial primary. Between Jones, Jackson, and the dark money flooding this race from Georgians for Integrity, the Republican campaigns have spent nearly $100 million to destroy their Republican rivals ahead of the May 19 primary.
Key Excerpts:
- “The mystery surrounding billionaire Rick Jackson and the outside group attacking Burt Jones just got another intriguing wrinkle.”
- “The same Ohio attorney who signed incorporation papers for Georgians for Integrity — the anonymous dark-money outfit that has poured roughly $19 million into attacks on the lieutenant governor — also filed documents creating Alabama Patients First.”
- “That Alabama group financed negative attacks against Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama during a legal fight involving a Montgomery hospital operated by Jackson’s health care firm.”
- “The attorney, Kimberly Land, didn’t return messages seeking comment about the group, which faces state ethics charges of violating Georgia lobbying and campaign finance laws.”
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