Gwinnett Tommy Hunter spurns ethics code requirements — again

Yesterday, Christine Koehler, co-counsel on the ethics complaint filed against Gwinnett Commissioner Tommy Hunter, sent a letter to County Attorney William Linkous and attorney Read Gignilliat, asking for the ethics panel to move forward without Hunter’s panel appointment.  Hunter has been twice asked to make his appointment, and is 14 days overdue per the requirements of the Ethics Code.  Attorney Read Gignilliat has been approached to serve as the Attorney for the Ethics board.
On February 6th, 2017, an Ethics Complaint on behalf of complainant Nancie Turner, was filed by attorneys Christine Anne Koehler and Helen Kim Ho, citing several instances of inappropriate, unbecoming and partisan comments made publicly by Hunter on Facebook, including calling Congressman John Lewis a “racist pig” and all Democrats “libtards” and “demonrats.”  Complainant alleged these comments violated multiple provisions of the ethics code.   Hunter was served with proper notice on the same day the complaint was filed.  The Ethics Code states that Mr. Hunter “shall” appoint his panel representative within 30 days or “as soon as practicable.”  The panel must be “empaneled” before Hunter is required to formally respond to the complaint.
“Mr. Hunter’s failure to appoint a member as required by the ethics ordinance constitutes another example of his unwillingness to abide by the standard Gwinnett County expects of its elected officials,” said Christine Koehler in her letter. The letter was written in response to a letter sent by Linkous to Hunter directly, asking Hunter for a second time to appoint a representative.
All Gwinnett elected officials are required to receive training on the Ethics Code within one year of being appointed (or hired) and receive additional training every two years thereafter.  Commissioner Hunter has been trained on the rules of the Ethics Code at least twice, and likely three times, since entering into office.
“Whether you agree or not with the underlying substance of the ethics complaint, Commissioner Hunter’s behavior shows his disrespect for the ‘rule of law’ as it has been applied to him as an elected official in our county,” said Helen Kim Ho.  “No one, especially a person sitting in the county’s highest seat, should be exempt from following rules they agreed to upon entering their role.”
 

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