Influential Georgia Lawmaker Fined in Ethics Settlement

The Senate Ethics Committee has fined Sen. Don Balfour, chairman of the powerful Rules Committee, $5,000 for filing inaccurate expense reports.

The Snellville Republican improperly billed the state more than $1,000 for in-town travel and per diem expenses even though he was out-of-town on lobbyist-funded trips.

Balfour was also admonished for failing to create a subcommittee to audit senators’ reimbursement claims, as required by law.