Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission 200 Piedmont Avenue SE I Suite 1402, West Tower IAtlanta, Georgia 30334 I 404-463?1980 I COMPLAINT FORM Alleging a Violation of the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Act JURISDICTION: This of?ce has jurisdiction ONLY in matters involving ?nancial disclosure, campaign ?nance. and lobbyist disclosure. O.C.G.A. 545-1-6 covers state vendor disclosure law as outlined in the Campaign Finance Act in O.C.G.A. Title 21-5 et seq and O.C.G.A. covering state vendor disclosure law. Please ensure that your complaint is within the Commission?s jurisdiction. Mail or hand delivery original signedinotarized form and attachments to above address. 1. PERSON BRINGING COMPLAINT CONEPLAINANT: Name: Perry, Georgia Ethics Watchdogs Address: 1146 Dobbs Dr SE City: Atlanta State: GA County: I Zip: I30316 Telephone: 678?358-5966 E-mail (optionaU: watchdogwilliam@gmail.com II. PARTY AGAINST WHOM COMPLAINT IS BROUGHT RESPONDENT: Name: Tricia Pridemore and Georgians for Pridemore Address: Box 143, 2500 Dallas Highway, Suite 202 City: Marietta State: IGA County: ICobb Zip: I30064 Telephone: 404-358-2051 Title Of Of?ce he?! 9* mg?: Public Service Commission, District 5 (ifappiicabic) STATEMENT OF FACTS: State the actions ofihe Respondent upon which your complaint is based along with an ALLEGA TION that suchfacts constitute one or more violations ofthe Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Act. See JURISDICTION above. Include relevant dates and the names and addresses of other persons who you believe have knowledge of the facts and attach any documentation/eviden ce that support the facts alleged in this complaint. Please see regarding attorneys fees. See attached (If continued on other side or additional paper, meek here Iv. VERIFICATION BY OATH 0R NOTARY SIGNATURES REQUIRED . STATE OF Q56 0F Fulton the Complainant, being (Ellir or?PdenoPse and say that the information In this Complaint lS true and correct to the best of my lqiowledg?anxdi. liege)on or 4; 0. H. in. Sworn to and 3111330149325 ?tment?? ATURE AND STATEMENT OF COMPLAINANT()63wa i- gm (Iimw M, Ii] I AM NOT, In ?ling this complaint acting as an agent, paid or erwise, for any other person. rt and . Sign niirefg'Notarernbiic J-v ., MM ?ihcg?li DATE: la H: PENALTIES: False Swearing: A person to whom a lawful oath or aim-oration has been administered or who executes a document knowing that it purports to be an acknowledgment of a law?il oath or af?rmation commits the offense of false swearing when, in any matter or thing other than a judicial proceeding, he knowingly and willfully makes a false statement under Code Section 16-10-71. A person convicted of tho o?cnse of false swearhig shall be punished by a ?ne of not more than $1,000.00 or by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years, or both. Georgia Ethics WATCH DOGS Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission Pridemore Complaint, 10/15/2018 Statement of Facts Submitted by William Perry, Georgia Ethics Watchdogs Part Three: Statement of Facts lbeiieve that current Public Service Commissioner and candidate for Public Service Commission Tricia Pridemore with her campaign committee Georgians for Pridemore violated the Ethics in Government Act and Rules of the Commission, and ask the Commission to investigate the following: In 2017 and 2018, a total of 80 violations representing $68,375 in campaign contributions were not properly identified as being from regulated entities, as is required by law (see attached). Specifically Georgia law (21-5-30.1.d) states: Nothing contained in this Code section shall be construed to prevent any person who may be employed by a regulated entity, inciuding a person in whose name a license or lease is held, or who is an officer of a regulated entity from voluntarily making a campaign contribution from that person's personal funds to or on behalf of a person holding office as an elected executive officer regulating such entity or to or on behalf of a candidate for the office of an elected executive officer regulating such entity or to or on behalf of a campaign committee of any such candidate; provided, however, that: (1) The elected executive officer or candidate receiving one or more campaign contributions described in this subsection shall in his or her disclosure report under Code Section 21-5?34 separately identify each contribution and the total of contributions which he or she knows or should have reason to know are described in this subsection; [italicized for emphasis] Further, Electric Membership Cooperatives meet the definition of a "regulated entity," see O.C.G.A. 21-5-30. Under the strictest possible interpretation of this Code--failure to identify contributions from individuals currently on the payroll or serving as directors of an electric utility, natural gas or telecommunications company regulated by the Public Service Commission?at feast 64 violations totaling $47,925 occurred. I have labeled those as Tier 1 violations in the attached document. However, considering the full spirit of the Code expands the total violations and must be considered. In many instances, ex-executives of regulated entities are no longer employed by a regulated entity, but they are still viewed publicly as professional representatives of a regulated entity and receive compensation from said entities retirement benefits, pensions, etc.). have labeled those Tier 2 violations in the attached document, and there were at least 16 violations totaling $24,550. The campaign finance-reports used to gather this information are the reports dated 2/7/18, 5/17/18 and 9/19/18. William Perry, Georgia Ethics Watchdogs Statement of Facts, Pridemore Complaint, 10/15/18, Page 1 of 1 Candidate-j Gontributor Occupation/Employer Date: Tier 1 Tier 2 5 comments Pridemore Robinson, Pete Attorney, Troutman Sanders 11/20/2017 3,000.00 Represents regulated entities before the Commission. Pridemore. Dingle, Larry Attorney, Wilson Brock and Irby LLC 12/6/2017 5 500.00 Represents Georgia Power Pridemore Gresham, Johnny Real Estate, Gresham Real Estate Company 12/6/2017 500.00 Also serves on the Cobb EMC boa rd Pridemore Hall Booth Smith PC 12/6/2017 5 1,000.00 Represents regulated entities before the Commission. Pridemore Hobbs, Terry Consultant, Hobbs and Associates 12/6/2017 1,000.00 Registered lobbyist for regulated entities before the Commission Pridemo?re Smith, Julie Director, Verizon 12/6/2017 1,000.00 Pridemore Troutman Sanders LLC 12/6/2017 5 6,600.00 Represents regulated entities before the Commission. Pridemore Highsmith, Robert Attorney, Holland Knight 12/31/2017 6,600.00 Represents regulated telecoms before the Commission. Pridemore Milner, Stephen Donald General Manager, Plant Telephone Company 1/11/2018 1,000.00 Pridemore Harris, .0. Ben Executive, Georgia Power 1/18/2018 5 250.00 Pridemore La brato, Ronnie Executive Vice President, Georgia Power 1/18/2018 200.00 Pride-mo re Ratcilfiffe, David Retired 1/182/2018 5 1,000.00 Retired but ex-executive from Georgia Power/Southern Company. Pridemore Corbin, Arthur President and CEO, Municipal Gas Authority 1/19/2018 500.00 Pridemore Dahlberg, AW Executive, Georgia Power 1/19/2018 5 1,000.00 Now retired but was listed as a current Georgia Power executive according to the candidate. candidate Contributor Occu pation/ Em ployer Date Tier 1 Tier 2 Comments Pridemore Mary Lou President, Darien Telephone Company 1/19/2018 1,000.00 PridemOre Henson, William R. Executive Vice President, Georgia Power 1/19/2018 50000 Pridemore Shlanta, Paul Senior Vice President, Southern Gas Company 500.00 Pridemore Ussery, Gene Retired 1/19/2018 1/20/2018 5 500.00 Retired but ex~executive from Georgia Power/Southern Company. Pridemore VP of Economic Development, Georgia EMC 1/22/2018 250.00 Pridemore Chastain, Dennis Hewitsio?ng,3?5teven J. Attorney, Troutman Sanders 1/22/2018 3. 500.00 Represents regulated entities before the Commission. Pridemore Pierce, Sha non Vice President, Southern Company Gas 1/22/2018 10 500.00 Pri demo re Strippelhoff, John Chief Membership Officer, Municipal .Gas Authority '1/22/2018 500.00 Pridemore Widner, Cofield Manager, Georgia Power 1/22/2018 250.00 P'ridemore Hodges, Meredith Vice President, Gas South 1/23/2018 250.00 Pride more Horne, William Engineer, Southern Company Gas 250.00 gPridemo re Scott, Louise Management, Southern Company Gas 1/23/2018 1/23/2018' 500.00 Pridemore Weaver, David 1/23/2018 mm- 2,500.00 Pridemore Boyd, Bryan Officer, Southern Company Gas Sales, Pacesetter Graphics 1/ 24/ 2018 250.00 Actually on the board of Cobb - Pridemore Vice President, Gas South 1/24/2018 250.00 Pridemo re Cardozo, Freddy Carter, Donald Vice President, Southern Company Gas 1/ 24/ 201.8 750.00 Pridemore Crowell, Edward B. Director, Cobb EMC 1/24/2018 mm 500.00 Pridemore Dowdy, Craig Attorney, Morris, Manning, and Marting 1/24/2018 1,000.00 Represents Atlanta Gas and Light Candidate Contributor Occu piation/ Em ployer Date- Tier 1 Tier 2 Comments 3 Pridemore Duvall, Robert VP, Southern Company Gas 1/24/2018 1,000-00 Pridemore Greiner, giievin President, Gas South 1/24/2018 500.00 Pridemore Linginfelter, Hank Executive, Southern Company Gas 1/24/2018 1,000.00 Pridemore Lon n, Rich ard Director, Southern Company Gas 1/24/2018 350.00 Pridemore Nelson Ill, W. T. President, Cobb EMC 1/24/2018 250.00 Pridemore Rawson, Charles :Vice President, Southern Company Gas 1/24/2018 500.00 Pridemore Reese, Elizabeth Executive Vice President, Southern Company Gas 1/24/2018 800.00 Piridemore Simpson, Marisa Director of Governmental Affairs, Atlanta Gas Light 1/24/2018 250.00 Pridemore Barrs, Craig Executive Vice President, Georgia Power 1/25/2018 Now retired but was listed as a current Georgia Power executive according to the 250.00 candidate. Pridemore Batson, Bryan Executive, Atlanta Gas and Light 1/25/2018 1,000.00 Pridemore Killings, Jesse Operations, Atlanta Gas Light 1/25/2018 750.00 Pridemore Klaus, Richard Director, 1/25/2018 250.00 Pridemore Meiselman, David Manager, Southern Company Gas 1/25/2018 250.00 Pridemore Patrick, a rguertie Attornyey, Infin . 1/25/2018 250.00 Gas company before the Commission Pridemore Scruggs, Richard Executive, Georgia Power 1/25/2018 500.00 rgi-dem-o re Greene, Kevin Attorney, Troutman Sanders 1/26/2018 1,000.00 Represents regulated entities before the Commission. Pridemore Palmer, Charles Attorney, Troutman Sanders 1/26/2018 1,000.00 Represents telecom regulated entities before the Commission. Pridemore Marzo, Brandon Attorney, Troutman Sanders 1/27/2018 500.00 Pridemore Caudill, Mark Attorney, Southern Company Gas 1/28/2018 2,500.00 Pridemore Newsome, Brett General Manager, SCANA Energy 1/ 28/ 20 1.8. 250.00 Cf?ltll?lidate Contributor Oocuip?tion/ Em ployer Date Tier 1 Tier 2 Comments Pridemore Carver, Brad Sr. Managing Director, Hall Booth Smith 1/29/2018 5 250.00 Pridemore Curtin, Kevin Assistant Vice President, 1/29/2018 5 250.00 Represents SCANA as a lobbyist Pridemore Hobbs, Terry Consultant, Hobbs and Associates 1/29/2018 5 3,000.00 Registered lobbyist for regulated entities before the Commission Pridemore Mitchell, Michael Government Relations, Comcast. 1/29/2018 5 250.00 Pridemore Edwards, Robert P. Attorney, Troutman Sanders 1/30/2018 5 1,000.00 Represents regulated entities before the Commission. Pridemore Gage, Timory' Senior Vice President, Comcast 1/30/2018 250.00 Pridemore Hobbs, Terry Consultant, Hobbs and Associates 1/30/2018 5 2,600.00 Registered lobbyist for regulated entities before the Commission Pridemore Konuch, David Executive, Comcast 1/30/2018 250.00 Pridemore Sterling, Beverly Vice President, Plant Telecommunications 1/30/2018 ri?demo re Wall, Michael VP Government Relations, Comcast 1/30/2018 5 1,000.00 Pridemore Wingo, Pat Regional Vice President, 1/30/2018 250.00 Pridemore Davis, Dwight Fa rm-er 1/31/2018 5 500.00 Ex Government Affairs with Georgia Power Pridemore McWhorte r, Aaron Farmer Actually serves on the board of Oglethorpe Power Pridemore Sutton, Jack Vice: President, Southern Company Gas? 1/31/2018 5 500.00 1,000.00 Pridemore Troutman Sanders PAC 5 2,500.00 Represents regulated entities before the Commission. Pridemore Towns, nter Retired - 1/31/2018 2/20/2018 5 500.00. Represents Georgia Power as a lobbyist Pridemore Baxte r, Ma rk Attorney, Stone Baxter 4/3/2018 250.00 Represents telecom interests before the Commission ndidate. Contributor- Occupation] Employer Date Tier 1 Tier 2 Comments Pridemore Lyndall, Terri Attorney, Galloway and Lyndall 4/24/2018 Represents telecom interests Pridemore MiizGuire, Perry Attorney, Smith Gambrell 8: Russell 4/24/2018 5 1,000.00 5 250.00 before the Commission Pridemore Ratcliffe, David Retired 4/24/2018 5 1,000.00 Retired but (ax?executive from Georgia Power/Southern Company. Pridemore Smith ram brell 8: Russiell, LLP '4/24/2018' 5 250.00 Pridemo re Wortham, Mark Attorney, Hall Booth Smith 4/24/2018 125.00 Pridemore Retired 8/17/2018 5 1,000.00 Retired but ex?executive from Georgia Power/Southern Company. Pridemore Haynes, Leonard Retired 8/19/2018 5 100.00 Retired but ex?executiye from Georgia Power/Southern Company. Pridemore Ga'lloWay, Newton Attorney, Galloway and Lyndall 8/27/2018 1,000.00 Represents telecom interests before the Commission Pridemore Tuggle, Clyde Retired 8/27/2018 500.00 Actually on the Georgia Power boa rd Pridemore Underwood, Rudy VP, American Chemistry Council 8/28/2018 5 250.00 Actuallyon the board of Cobb EMC Pridemore McWhorter, Aaron Farmer 8/29/2018 250.00 Actually serves on the board of Oglethorpe Power Totals:- 47,925.00 $20,450.00