Contentious Watchdog Head Announces Complaints Against Witts
Snellville Councilman Tom Witts, supporters, walked out of a Friday press conference before it was finished.
Photos
The executive director of a Georgia watchdog group announced his intentions to file ethics complaints against two Snellville officials Friday afternoon.
But less than 10 minutes into a press conference in a front hallway at City Hall, Ethics in Government Group head George Anderson lost most of the audience. A group of more than a dozen supporters of Councilman Tom Witts, and Witts himself, walked out the front door, saying there are no merits to Anderson’s claims.
After they left, only a couple of media people and three or four others remained as Anderson further claimed he had evidence Witts and Snellville's Chief Municipal Court Judge Mark Layng violated a handful of ethics codes.
Anderson says he is asking for investigations into alleged violations, mostly centered around Witts owing back state taxes, an alleged conflict of interest due to his association with Layng, and disclosure of campaign contributions.
Anderson says he has already filed complaints with the Governor's Office and the City of Snellville, and plans to file complaints with the Campaign Finance Commission and Judicial Qualifications Committee.
Among his complaints, Anderson alleges that Witts, also Snellville's mayor pro tem, violated his oath of office in 2009 by witholding information that he owed $28,000 in back state taxes.
“You owe $28,000 and in your oath of office, it states that you are not the holder of any unaccountable funds due to the state,” Anderson said. “You knew at the time when you took that oath of office that it was a falsehood.”
Witts explained earlier this week that he does owe the state, but is paying it back, including penalties and interest. He said he owes for taking a disbursement of 401K funds in 2007 after his wife was laid off. He said the money "I borrowed from myself" helped prevent him from laying off employees and kept his business (Georgia Property Restoration) afloat.
"[Despite Anderson's charges] I'd still make that decision. I'd still do it. I'd still take care of the families [of his employees]. I'd still take care of my family," said Witts, who said he has disclosed his debt in an open city council meeting. "I have nothing to hide."
Anderson believes Layng, who is Witts' attorney and co-owns the Tucker building that houses Witts' business, was unethical for swearing Witts into office. It was a conflict of interest due to the relationship, he charges. Layng was not present Friday.
Friday's press conference was contentious and included some heated exchanges between Anderson and many in the crowd who are Witts supporters, which included State Rep. Brett Harrell and Councilman Dave Emanuel. Anderson took shots at the Governor and the State Legislature as a whole, and called a woman at the press conference who referred to herself as a community activist a "community pest."
As the group left, comments like “This is nonsense,” “It’s a sideshow” and “I’ve got to get back to work,” echoed in the hallway.
"Have a good day," Anderson said to the group. "Oh, most of you are Councilman Witts' folks? Oh, howdy, doody."
Witts said he had not seen Anderson’s complaints — more than 100 pages worth — before Friday and he did not leave with copies of them.
He planned to be at the press conference, but added that he didn’t ask anybody to also attend.
“How blessed I am to have so many people come out for me,” Witts said outside the building. “These are people who know me and know that I am ethical.”
Snellville Tod
9:00 am on Saturday, June 9, 2012
It wasn't contentious. It became very apparent that George Anderson was an unprepared joke. If Mr. Anderson is a champion for free and open government, he should look into local officials that mail in their required disclosures rather than file them online. Mailing the reports makes it next to impossible for constituents to look into an elected officials campaign finances.
Snellville Tod
9:02 am on Saturday, June 9, 2012
My guess is no one is going to write a check for him to do that!
Kenneth Stepp
4:18 pm on Saturday, June 9, 2012
George Anderson is way off base here. I agree with Tod. He's making money and trashing a very good man. Why on Earth would anyone believe anything he says. Tom Witts has served Snellville with integrity and passion. This guy needs to go back to Rome and mind his own business. He's not a watchdog, he's a hired gun.
George Anderson
2:21 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Back to Roman times, the Roman General or current Caesar would kill the messenger when they did not like the meassage. Ethics in Government Group has exposed City of Snellville officials that have violated their Oath of Office. EIGG plans to follow-up with the Council, the Governor, the State of Georgia Revenue Department, the Judicial Qualifications Commission, the Guinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter, as well as, U.S. Attorney Sally Yates. The citizens of Snellville are legally due men that are honest, ethical, and serve the interest of the people. Men, such as Mark Layng and Tom Witts have betrayed the public's trust. They must do the honorable action by resigning from Office.
George Anderson
EIGG Director
Kenneth Stepp
2:29 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
George-Snellville has honest and ethical people. You on the other hand seem to have an agenda more than ethics. Mr Witts hid nothing and was doing everything above board. You can keep saying the same thing over and over again. It doesn't make it true. This is you yelling fire just after you created smoke. Your wasting your time. None of the people or agencies you mentioned will do anything but take your call. Your 15 minutes on this issue has ended. I have watched you do this many times in the past. We shoot the messenger because his message is false and just meant to agitate citizens already mad because of a few bad apples. It's just a cheap trick you have pulled many times before. We ain't buying it again.
Kenneth Stepp
3:00 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Let's break this down. ="EIGG plans to follow-up with the Council" EIGG is a company created by George Anderson (means nothing)=, the Governor (since no law was broken he won't care), the State of Georgia Revenue Department (the chief Investigator is a friend of mine. They won't care because they have a work out with Mr Witts), the Judicial Qualifications Commission (he's qualified so they won't care either), the Guinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter (hardest working DA in America. He has issues that involve crime to worry about. This isn't one of them, his integrity will not allow you to use his office for political gain), as well as, U.S. Attorney Sally Yates (that's a hail Mary on your part. Good luck with that George). That post was meant to impress people that do not understand how the system works. You can write hundreds of agencies and offices. It still won't make your claims credible..
Lauren Jones
12:20 am on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Danny Porter is supposedly the hardest working DA in America? Are you freaking kidding? This is a man who has botched case after case (He botched my sister's murder trial so badly that her murderer and the man who tried to kill me got a slap on the wrist.), is considered by most of the justices working at the Gwinnett County Courthouse to be a joke (I am very well acquainted with two of the justices.), and is known to give preferential treatment to people who don't deserve it (The CGHS cheerleader who killed members of a family in a crosswalk.). I have spoken to other victims of violent crime in Gwinnett and by and large we all agreed that not only did we believe Danny Porter to be one of the worst parts of the legal system in Gwinnett, but not a single one of us trusted him and would ask specifically for someone else to be put in charge of our cases should something ever happen again to us.
George Anderson
3:10 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Fact...Tom Witts was dishonest when he swore an Oath, from his business partner,(Chief Magistrate Judge Mark Layng) that he was not the holder of any state funds. Fact...Councilman Witts only revealed being behind on $28,000.00 in state taxes, recently, when he has been, well aware since 2005 to the present of his default in taxes. Fact...Mark Layng has defended his client, (business partner/co-owner of property), Tom Witts on several occasions.Fact...The public has the right to know what kind of "pig in the poke" they are unknowingly buying. ("The phrase can also be applied to accepting an idea or plan without a full understanding of its basis"). Fact...I have filed over 400 Ethics Complaints since 1996 with the majority of the State and local officials determined guilty of unethical/illegal. betrayal of the public's trust.
EIGG Executive Director
Kenneth Stepp
3:18 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
More created smoke, same tired lines, absolutely no fire. To take something that is public record and spin it this far is shameful even for you Mr Anderson. Again. You are wasting your time. Tom Witts is not a "pig in a poke", he's a man with integrity and many friends in Snellville know he has served honorably in their interest. The next time you plan to attack someone make sure it's not a man with integrity like Mr Witts. Your false claims will go nowhere and even a self delusional man like you might see that. Better luck with your next smear campaign. This one has failed at the gate.
Gary Custar
4:15 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
"that he was not the holder of any state funds."
Anderson, you purposely leave out two all important words 'UNACCOUNTED FOR'
It reads "not the holder of any UNACCOUNTED FOR state funds. They were accounted for, a payment plan was in effect. Nothing was unaccounted for.
You fail. The three stooges who hired you fail.
Don't go away mad little feller, just go away.
Kenneth Stepp
3:30 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
And lets not forget that George attacked Governor Deal in 2011 about ethics violations. And how far did that go ? Just out of his microphone. It ended there. Good luck calling the governor George. he hangs on your every word.
Kenneth Stepp
3:39 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
And lets not forget my favorite.
http://politicalvine.com/announcements/announcementsview12584.html
Atlanta author and media consultant Phil Kent today filed a formal ethics complaint against Libertarian Party U.S. Senate candidate George Anderson, who according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is "Georgia's self-appointed ethics watchdog." Anderson has filed almost 500 ethics complaints against political candidates since 1996.
Kent's Feb. 25 letter to the Federal Election Commission in Washington cites "more than 25 serious errors and omissions" in Anderson's financial disclosure paperwork that "blatantly violate federal law."
Anderson's own website posts a Dec. 1, 2002 feature story from The Journal-Constitution where Anderson is quoted about his philosophy underlying the filing of his many complaints: "The law is the law. None of this is trivial. I don't feel wrong about holding them (candidates) to the fire." In this context, Kent says, "The numerous violations of federal law in Anderson's disclosure forms are not trivial. This gadfly is now exposed as a blatant hypocrite."
Kenneth Stepp
3:42 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Complaint against Deal, ethics chair dismissed
http://www.atlantaunfiltered.com/2012/04/06/complaint-against-deal-ethics-chair-dismissed/
Another complaint that was just hot air.
Kenneth Stepp
3:48 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
How often does George Anderson go after Democrats?
http://www.peachpundit.com/2008/02/20/how-often-does-george-anderson-go-after-democrats/
Gary Custar
4:16 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Ken, thanks for all your support of Tom Witts. He is a great guy and I'm glad to call him a friend.
George Anderson
4:22 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
http://www.ripoffreport.com/auto-dealers/southeast-financial/southeast-financial-fine-aut-by6c8.htm
George Anderson
4:34 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Ken Stepp is a good friend of Tom Witts. However, it appears Ken Stepp is, as, financially challenged as is Councilman Witts.
#3 Owner of Company
I am Ken Stepp
AUTHOR: Dan - Lawrenceville (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Sunday, February 25, 2007
Mr -- Bought a car "AS IS" and wanted nothing to do with a service contract or warranty. He knows this but continues to talk about my company.He has no real complaint or he would bring it to Gwinnett County Courts. I have turned the case over to My attorney because he has done this to a lot of businesses that has done business with him.Most have paid him something.I will not.It takes a coward to try bthis kind of thing and thats what he is.Scam someone else Mr ---.I will not give into your kind of theft.America is a great Country but people who try what you are trying only abuse our freedom. Ken Stepp President/Owner Southeast Financial 584 Buford Drive Lawrenceville Ga 30045
http://www.ripoffreport.com/auto-dealers/southeast-financial/southeast-financial-fine-aut-by6c8.htmhttp://
www.ripoffreport.com/auto-dealers/southeast-financial/southeast-financial-fine-aut-by6c8.htm
http://www.ripoffreport.com/auto-dealers/southeast-financial/southeast-financial-fine-aut-by6c8.htm
Ken Stepp is a good friend of Tom Witts. However, it appears Ken Stepp is financially challenged as is Councilman Witts.
George Anderson
4:42 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Southeast Financial - Fine Automotive ripoff BEWARE OF SOUTHEAST FINANCIAL AND FINE AUTOMOTIVE IN Lawrenceville Georgia.
Ken Stepp has truely lost his mind
AUTHOR: Stepp2thehighstreet - Stone Mountain (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Thursday, December 27, 2007
Very sorry that anyone has purchased a car from this dealership.
Its sad that an individual only looks at people as obstacles that he needs to crush. He uses people for what he needs for that moment and only that moment.
I was used for months as an employee and was told he would pay and never did.
This place is now closed and thank god for that.
Kenneth Stepp
6:34 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
George that's one person out of thousands that would say the opposite about me. 30 Years in business and one person. Congrats. You now know how to Google things and share it like it's truth while knowing nothing about it at all. I had the number one dealership in the state according to D&B for years. A mortgage company, lending company, and garages. The reason my business is closed is because I had a theft of over a million dollars. The girl that wrote that is now in prison as is the guy that wrote the other stuff. Meth, theft, and burglary. Say all you want George. Your the one that lies for a living. Again you find yourself saying things about someone that aren't true. You have really mastered that haven't you ? I worked 30 years for what I had only to have it stolen by people that have almost all went to prison. But thank you for pointing that out instead of all the good on the internet. You really don't have a soul at all. Go back to Rome and mind your own business. Again Gwinnett doesn't need you.
Kenneth Stepp
6:41 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
It appears that George Anderson is morally bankrupt and rips off the people that he says he is helping. That's pretty easy to believe for me.
GEORGE ANDERSON EIGG Rips off Advocates for Clean & Open Government
http://www.topix.com/forum/city/rome-ga/T2EGVA0LAB4OEFOTF
Kenneth Stepp
7:00 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Here's another commissioner George Anderson made baseless claims about. These ethics complaints are interesting. I keep reading about all these people who he complained about that were in fact innocent of what he claimed. I'm betting he gets paid handsomely for making this crap up. What a shallow way to live life.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No proof of ethics violation against Cedartown commissioners
http://www.examiner.com/article/no-proof-of-ethics-violation-against-cedartown-commissioners
I wonder if George ever apologizes to his victims. Not enough integrity for that I guess.
Kenneth Stepp
7:05 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Here's another one George filed a complaint about that was found baseless. George Anderson really gets off on this false charge stuff I guess. He wants people to think he own ethics when in fact he's left a pretty ugly trail behind him. Sad way to make a living.
http://www.rn-t.com/view/full_story/4010459/article-District-Attorney-Leigh-Patterson-cleared-in-barbecue-winnings-election-complaint-
It looks like there are too many cases like this to count. Why would anybody listen to this windbag ?
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District Attorney Leigh Patterson cleared in barbecue winnings election complaint
Kenneth Stepp
7:08 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
George Anderson was also sued (that's what I understood) by the State Bar Association for ......
Rome ethics watchdog sued
State Bar files suit claiming unlawful law practice
07/19/07 By Mike Gellatly, Rome News-Tribune Staff Writer
I cannot see why this guy would be considered credible at all.
George Anderson
7:21 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Honesty, integrity, honor, moral character...are foreign to Ken Stepp. He is sad, tragic, and pitiful. However, he is proud to be a friend of a dishonest elected official...Thomas Witts.
Kenneth Stepp
7:33 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
George, you are a morally corrupt bully. It will be my pleasure to have some fun at your expense. They say in an argument that the one with the most to lose always does. I am proud to call Tom a friend. You are someone I'm going to enjoy getting to know.
Kenneth Stepp
7:37 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
And everyone else will get to know George Anderson and "Ethics in Government Group" (EGG). That sir is a promise.
Kenneth Stepp
7:25 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
There are many cases that after filing these complaints the people were later found innocent of the baseless charges George brought about them. Politically motivated, agenda driven by a man that obviously has plenty of ethics issues himself. Unfortunately the lives that are hurt in the wake of trashing them seem like just collateral damage to me based on everything I now know about George Anderson and his creation "Ethics in Government Group" (EGG).
Kenneth Stepp
7:30 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Since the watchdog doesn't have anyone checking up on him or his company I believe I will become a watchdogs watchdog. Everything about George needs to be made public and in many many places. And that will be my hobby. As he says "the people need to know". And they will. I'll assume he would like a lot of light shined on his mistakes since that's what he claims to have dedicated his life to. I wonder what his victims would say about him. I'm going to find out.
Kenneth Stepp
7:51 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
"He’s has filed nearly 400 ethics complaints with the panel, including several against Deal. Over the years, he’s won a few, but lost many more."
http://savannahnow.com/column/2011-07-24/political-notes-bad-idea-deal-tee-george-anderson
Like I sad. I wonder if he apologizes after trashing someone's name when the truth comes out and the allegations are found to be false ?
Kenneth Stepp
7:59 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Here's another complaint against two Gwinnett officials in 2008. Smeared their names, got in the news, complaints went nowhere. Just trashing peoples reputation and moving on. Serving no apparent purpose. Just filing more complaints that were later dropped.
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=348&dat=20080708&id=IsE_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=FiUMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2073,1562517
Kenneth Stepp
8:01 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
I wonder if George Anderson apologized to them.
Gary Custar
8:10 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Ken- George Anderson and the fruitcakes that hire him know that the complaints he files against folks are false and will later get thrown out or withdrawn.
The only reason they do this is to later be able to use in an election against the one the complaint was filed against by saying, "So-and-so had an ethics complaint filed against them last year". Unfortunately a lot of the public hears only this, not the fact that the complaint was a crock of horse manure (and the filers always knew it was) and it taints the one they filed against.
Dirty politics at it worst, but then again, George Anderson (a failed politician wanna-be) along with Larry, Moe, and Curly are no strangers to scum-bag politics because they were scum-bag politicians!
Dave Emanuel
9:12 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Ken, Gary-- don't waste your time or effort-- you're debating with a shill. Anyone who was at the side show (alleged press conference) saw for themselves that Anderson was barely lucid. I find it difficult to believe he wrote the responses posted here. There is absolutely no basis for the allegations made by Anderson so this whole side show is nothing more than an effort to divert attention away from all the great things that Tom Witts has been instrumental in bringing to our city. To name a few-
*The Snellville Tourism and Trade Association (STAT)
*The award-winning Snellville Farmer's Market
*The Community Garden
*The "Weekend for Aimee" fundraiser for Aimee Copeland
* Snellville's mobile stage
Tom Witts has never claimed credit for any part of these improvements, and while many people played important roles, without Tom's vision and perseverance, Snellville citizens would not have so many great things to enjoy.
Gary Custar
9:35 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Dave--You are right about wasting time and effort arguing with Anderson. It's sort of like wrestling a pig, you get dirty and the pig likes it.
Tom has done great things for the city of Snellville over the years. The citizens recognize this and know that the jerks who put Anderson up to this stunt/farce/charade/witch-hunt are nothing more than 8th grade playground bullies who didn't get their way in the last election.
Snellville will be a much better place once those old coots finally go off to their miserable little corner of eternity.
George Anderson
10:15 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Councilman Dave E.... Your State Ethics Complaint was mailed out on Saturday morning to the CFC, formerly named the State Ethics Commission. You sir, will face a reckoning. An elected official who calls a citizen of the State of Georgia one who needs medication is not honorable but a schill, a schizophreniat, & a mean-spirited elected official of Snellville, Georgia.
George Anderson
10:18 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Our conversations have been educating today. I've learned how many idiots will stand up for Tom Witts.
Au Revoir
Dave Emanuel
10:53 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
George Anderson-- Thank you. Your complaint will provide me with an excellent opportunity to spotlight your unethical, libelous activities and investigate remedies.
Snellville Tod
11:09 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Watch out everyone! Someone has hit a nerve.
Kenneth Stepp
6:03 am on Monday, June 11, 2012
And that nerve will be hit many times soon enough.
lynchsales
11:50 am on Monday, June 11, 2012
There is plenty of real dirt on George Anderson. I'll send some of you some dirt from people that know all about him.
Jamie Dempsey
1:27 pm on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Ladies and GENTLEMEN of Snellville- let it go. a loud roar that goes into an empty vacuum soon drowns itself out. The rise that Mr. Anderson is getting, and the (printed, and therefore usable) responses he is getting, only serves to fuel his misguided fire. Let's move on with the important business of Snellville and the surrounding areas, and let Mr. Anderson carry the VAST burden of PROOF that he was not able to support in the press conference.
"I heard." "It is alleged." "I was told that." Responsible journalists, and responsible citizens will weigh on those words as easily as they do whatever comes after them.
While it IS, regardless of who is paying him to do so, Mr. Anderson's right to go down this road, it is OUR responsibility to not encourage him in his irresponsible actions.