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In Case You “Don’t Recall” — Brian Kemp Refused to Answer Questions 91 Times While Under Oath

After Personally Guaranteeing Loans Beyond His Net Worth, Kemp Refused to Answer Questions or Take Responsibility

ATLANTA — Yesterday, in a front-page, above-the-fold bombshell report, the Atlanta-Journal Constitution revealed that Brian Kemp personally guaranteed $10 million in loans despite having a net worth of roughly half that amount. Worse, he refused to answer questions about his potentially criminal financial behavior 91 times while under oath.

If Brian Kemp can’t be honest about his own finances, how can we trust him to govern Georgia?

Excerpts of the article follow:

At 9 a.m. on July 19, Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp sat in his lawyer’s office in Carrollton. In just five days, the state’s Republicans would choose either Kemp or Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle as their candidate for governor. The race was widely viewed as a toss-up. But Kemp would be stuck in Carrollton for the next two hours and 27 minutes, trying to explain, under oath, why he shouldn’t have to repay a $500,000 loan.

By the time his deposition concluded, Kemp had answered “I don’t recall,” “I don’t remember,” “I don’t know,” or some variation at least 91 times.

“To the best of my knowledge,” Kemp replied to one question, “I don’t recall that.”

The deposition, not previously reported, underscored the political and financial perils Kemp faces from a lawsuit over a loan he personally guaranteed for an agricultural business in which he invested.

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The monetary consequences could be even more dire for Kemp, records obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution show. Kemp has promised to cover about $10 million in other loans for the now-struggling agricultural business — meaning that if the company defaults, he could be forced to make good on debts that far exceed his net worth of $5.2 million.

Three of those loans, totaling almost $700,000, come due in December. None is backed by collateral…

Read the full article here: https://www.myajc.com/news/state–regional-govt–politics/for-brian-kemp-suit-over-bad-loan-reveals-political-financial-perils/FGeAr04V2A0tphsBVMSObI/

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RELEASE: Chair Porter: Kemp Still the Guy Who Cranked Chainsaw, Blew Up Stuff, and Recklessly Pointed a Gun at Teenager

ATLANTA — Today, Georgia Democratic Party Chair DuBose Porter released the following statement on Brian Kemp’s latest TV ad:

“Brian Kemp’s latest advertisement represents his own admission of just how reckless his real agenda is. We’re glad to see him follow the lead of Stacey Abrams, Sara Riggs Amico, and Democrats across Georgia by actually talking about jobs, but he will forever be known as the guy who cranked up a chainsaw, blew up stuff, and recklessly pointed a gun at a teenager.”

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution referred to the ad as “sunnier” and noted Kemp was “smiling.”

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Americans with Disabilities Act Author: Kemp Has Failed to Comply with ADA

Former Congressman Tony Coelho, Author of ADA, Says Kemp Associate Sought to Violate Federal Civil Rights Law

ATLANTA – Today, Tony Coelho, the principal author of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), condemned the voter suppression tactics of Republican candidate for governor Brian Kemp. Coelho said that Kemp, who refuses to step down from overseeing the election in which he is a candidate, has failed to comply with the ADA and protect the rights of Georgians with disabilities.

“Mr. Kemp has failed his responsibility to ensure that all polling locations in the State of Georgia are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act,” said Coelho. “Worse, his associate callously tried to use the ADA as a justification for closing polling locations entirely, which is a violation of the law I and others worked so hard to pass.”

“Voters, especially voters with disabilities, should not be forced to travel 30 miles to vote simply because Mr. Kemp has failed to do his job,” Coelho added.

Mike Malone, a longtime Kemp associate and donor, consulted with the Randolph County Board of Elections following a recommendation by Kemp’s office earlier this year. Malone, who said he was directed by Kemp to “recommend polling closures” across Georgia pushed for closing seven of the nine Randolph County polling locations due to non-compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Kemp claimed to oppose the Randolph County polling closures. However, new audio evidence highly suggests that Kemp himself directed Malone to recommend these closures.

“That Mr. Kemp or any of his associates would advocate closing polling locations in the name of the ADA is shameful and nonsensical. Closing non-ADA accessible polling locations does not foster compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act; rather, it is a violation of that act.”

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is a landmark law passed with strong bipartisan support and signed into law by then-President George H.W. Bush. Title II of the ADA requires state and local governments to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to vote. However, the law does not permit poll closures as a remedy for non-compliance.

Coelho noted that the majority of voters in Randolph County are African-American.

“Pitting African-American voters against voters with disabilities – many who are also African American – is a shameful new low in voter suppression from Brian Kemp. Voters with disabilities will not be a foil for Mr. Kemp’s voter suppression tactics. He cannot replace one form of discrimination with another.”

Anthony “Tony” Coelho is a former five-term member of Congress from California who also served as House Majority Whip.

Coelho is joining a chorus of advocates criticizing the excuse for poll closure recommendations. The Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia, along with Rev-Up Georgia, released a letter on Wednesday August 22 condemning the proposal as well, saying “alleging non-compliance with the ADA in the 11th hour to justify the removal of other individuals’ rights flies in the face of the intention behind the ADA of promoting access for all.”

The next meeting of the Randolph County Board of Elections is scheduled for Friday, August 24 at 8:00 am.

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RELEASE: Kemp’s Lawyers Defend His $500,000 Unpaid Loan in Court

Reviews Are In: Brian Kemp’s Money Issues Could “Complicate” Campaign for Governor

Brian Kemp Cheated His Investor, Now He Wants to Cheat Georgians

ATLANTA–Today, the Gwinnett County Court held a hearing on a case centered around an unpaid half a million dollar loan that Brian Kemp personally guaranteed. While Brian Kemp failed to show up in person today, his lawyers spent the better part of the 90-minute hearing defending Kemp’s “broken promises.”

According to court documents, millionaire Brian Kemp personally guaranteed the $500,000 loan and even negotiated with the investor to extend the deadline, twice. After missing the final deadline, Kemp argued that he was no longer liable because his personal guaranty had expired. Then, when his deposition was scheduled, Kemp failed to appear without giving adequate notice.

Today, Kemp’s lawyers appeared in Gwinnett County Court on his behalf. The reaction to this appearance has come swift and fierce.

From the Atlanta Journal Constitution:

“Promises were made, they were broken. That’s a judgment. Simple as that,” said Aaron Kappler, an attorney for Phillips and his RLP Investment firm. He was echoed by Patrick O’Brien, who accused Kemp and Hart AgStrong of flouting their agreement.

The upshot? Again, from the Atlanta Journal Constitution:

“Kemp has made his business background central to his race against Democrat Stacey Abrams…But his investment in the northeast Georgia firm Hart AgStrong has threatened to undercut his argument.”

These takes are all correct. Brian Kemp couldn’t keep his word to his investor, and now is trying to walk back on his promises. Georgians deserve better.  If his actions aren’t criminal, they should be.

Below are links to coverage on Brian Kemp’s broken promise to those who trusted him:

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RELEASE: At the 2018 Georgia Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, Brian Kemp Proves Once Again That He Has No Plans for Georgia

Brian Kemp Lacks Real Plans, Differs with Nathan Deal on Important Policies

For the First Time in Decades, Georgia’s Chamber of Commerce Refuses to Endorse in this Race

ATLANTA — Today, at the 2018 Georgia Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Brian Kemp proved once again that he has no real, concrete plans for Georgia’s families and businesses.

Using his same redundant and tired playbook, Kemp attempted to tout his own business background while claiming the legacy of Nathan Deal, despite not receiving the governor’s endorsement in the primary.

From the beginning of his speech, one recurring theme emerged: Brian Kemp’s vague ideas fail to offer real solutions for Georgia businesses and families who need it the most.

The end result? For the first time in decades, The Georgia Chamber of Commerce refused to endorse in this race.

In less than a year, Georgia has already fallen from the 2nd best place to do business in America to the 7th. At the luncheon, instead of specifying any concrete proposals to reverse this trend, Kemp touted his personal business record –while conveniently neglecting to address the current lawsuit alleging he failed to pay back a $500,000 business loan he personally guaranteed.

Since the beginning of his campaign, Brian Kemp has made it clear that he would support policies consistently opposed by the business community.

For example, Brian Kemp said he would sign a religious liberty bill similar to one that Governor Deal vetoed in 2016. At the time, over 400 Georgia companies, including major employers such as Coca-Cola, Delta, Disney, and Home Depot opposed the bill, with some warning that they would take their business elsewhere if signed in to law. Studies have shown that a religious liberty measure would cost Georgia $1-$2 billion dollars in revenue.

During the primary campaign, Brian Kemp put personal politics over Georgia jobs when he attacked a jet fuel exemption for Delta Airlines, Georgia’s largest employer, stating “Kill the Delta tax break, pass sales tax holiday for guns and ammo.” But when Governor Deal signed the tax exemption in late July, like a typical politician, Kemp quickly shifted his position.

For obvious reasons, Governor Deal refused to trust Brian Kemp with his legacy, opting to endorse Lt. Governor Casey Cagle in the Republican primary instead. In reference to his endorsement, Governor Deal stated, “My concern is, let’s not undo, or transform in a negative fashion, the good reforms that we’ve put in place.”

What else did Kemp’s talking points lack today? Specific plans and proposals that will ensure that Georgia businesses continues to move forward.

With every passing day, more and more Georgians are realizing that they cannot trust Brian Kemp to look out for their interests over his own.

“The Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s refusal to endorse Brian Kemp reveals one simple truth: Kemp’s tired talking points can’t mask the fact that he has no real plans to move our businesses and families forward. Stacey Abrams is the only choice for Governor for anyone who cares about fostering a pro-growth, pro-business environment in Georgia,” said Georgia Democratic Chair DuBose Porter.

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Video Release: Members of His Own Party Agree, Brian Kemp Can’t be Trusted

Brian Kemp: Too Incompetent to be Trusted with Georgia’s Future

GEORGIA – Today, the Democratic Party of Georgia released a new video exposing new GOP Gubernatorial nominee Brian Kemp for his professional, personal, and ethical failings. The video makes it clear that Kemp cannot be trusted to put the interests of Georgia families and business over those of his own.

Featuring the words of former GOP Gubernatorial candidates Michael Williams, Clay Tippins, and Casey Cagle, the videos highlights Brian Kemp’s blatant disregard for the interests of everyday Georgians in favor of those of his own and showcases several of the many instances where Kemp’s professional incompetencies served as a detriment to Georgia voters.

Even Nathan Deal didn’t trust Brian Kemp enough to endorse him, openly worrying whether Kemp’s policies would “undo” and “destroy” the progress made by Georgia over the past eight years.

Voters have a decision to make on which candidate they can trust this November. With Brian Kemp’s failed track record, self-serving ways, and consistent professional failures, under no circumstances is that candidate Brian Kemp.

“When it comes to the real Brian Kemp, Georgia voters have only scratched the surface of what they think they know. The reality is that Brian Kemp has always put his own personal politics over Georgia families and businesses and has a track record of consistently being promoted beyond his ability,” said Democratic Party of Georgia Chair DuBose Porter. “That ends now. Due to his failed track record, questionable judgement, and ethically reprehensible dealings as Secretary of State, Georgia voters simply can’t trust Brian Kemp to be the next Governor of our state.”

To view the new video, click here.

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2018 Democratic SOS Nominee John Barrow, Georgia Democrats, and Business Owners Agree: Cagle, Kemp Wrong for Georgia Businesses and Families

ATLANTA — Today, Georgia Democratic Secretary of State nominee John Barrow, other prominent Georgia Democrats, and business owners agreed that neither Casey Cagle nor Brian Kemp are suitable candidates for Governor in the state of Georgia. Barrow stated that Casey Cagle and Brian Kemp are guilty of “willful neglect” when it comes to aiding Georgia businesses and declared them both thoroughly incompetent for office.

Flanked by State Senator Valencia Seay and State Representative Kimberly Alexander, Barrow and the speakers recounted several disastrous moves by Brian Kemp, whose office leaked the Social Security numbers of 6.5 million voters. Similarly, Casey Cagle has spent 24 years at the state capitol with virtually nothing to show for it- except for punishing the state’s biggest employer over a petty, political stunt. While describing the harmful policies of Cagle and Kemp, the speakers frequently invoked the words of former Republican Gubernatorial candidates Hunter Hill, Michael Williams, and Clay Tippins.

“I have had an opportunity to visit with and get to know the needs and concerns of the business community in this state,” said Barrow. “And I can tell you they are shocked and appalled at the prospect of people wanting to take the business climate that we have in Georgia- the product of generations of bipartisan leadership- to impose a narrow, partisan, ideological and often times religious viewpoint on their fellow citizens and the businesses that are doing business here in the state of Georgia.”

“Mr. Kemp and Mr. Cagle both have to live with the legacy cost of years of neglect on our educational infrastructure, and the current, willful neglect of the opportunity to take advantage of investments in healthcare that Georgia taxpayers are paying for- but not getting,” continued Barrow.

John Barrow’s statement echoes the statements made by other Democrats, as well as fellow Republican colleagues of Cagle and Kemp. In rare bipartisan consensus, both sides agree that the two remaining GOP candidates for the state’s highest office have been incompetent and/or negligent in their roles. They both represent a clear danger for Georgia families and businesses.

Further descriptions of Cagle and Kemp’s incompetence for office, in their fellow Republicans’ own words, may be found at WrongForGeorgia.com.

John Barrow’s full comments may be found here on YouTube.

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