The Georgia Hour, episode 79: Georgia Republican Party Financial Transparency Issues: GAGOP Refunds, FEC Reports

The Geor­gia Repub­li­can Par­ty (GAGOP) faces scruti­ny over finan­cial trans­paren­cy, with 140 refund trans­ac­tions total­ing $28,149 from June 2023 to ear­ly 2025, many unmatched to con­tri­bu­tions. Over 52 indi­vid­u­als received mul­ti­ple refunds, some up to four, includ­ing non-donors, rais­ing con­cerns about mis­man­age­ment. At a Chero­kee Repub­li­can Par­ty can­di­date forum, David Cross empha­sized audit­ing GAGOP finances to restore donor con­fi­dence through truth and trans­paren­cy. Lau­rie McClain, defend­ing her par­tic­i­pa­tion in the party’s FEC fil­ing prac­tices, claims they fol­low long-stand­ing tra­di­tions but acknowl­edges amend­ments are pos­si­ble, though late fil­ings incur fees. Ques­tions linger about the fre­quen­cy of FEC report amend­ments and their vis­i­bil­i­ty. Mean­while, Attor­ney Gen­er­al Chris Carr’s sud­den focus on immi­gra­tion, bor­der secu­ri­ty, and gang-relat­ed issues aligns with Trump’s poli­cies, draw­ing skep­ti­cism. Crit­ics, includ­ing @realtimsharp on X, ques­tion the GAGOP’s pri­or­i­ties, liken­ing some mem­bers to “Karens” seek­ing a “safe space” from hard truths. As the GAGOP nav­i­gates these chal­lenges, issues like elec­tion integri­ty, donor trust, and align­ment with con­ser­v­a­tive val­ues remain crit­i­cal. Fol­low the ongo­ing dis­cus­sion about GAGOP’s finan­cial prac­tices, lead­er­ship, and pol­i­cy shifts to under­stand the broad­er impli­ca­tions for Georgia’s Repub­li­can vot­ers.

• Mon­ey buys access. A par­ty plan­ner does not make a cyber secu­ri­ty expert. 
• It’s like Chris Carr is con­cerned about ille­gals now, going to the bor­der now, con­cerned with Trump’s immi­gra­tion poli­cies. And now he is con­cerned with the gangs and drugs in the state. 
• WE have the Karen’s of the GA GOP. They are look­ing for the safe space, because they can’t han­dle the truth. 
• Last night at the Chero­kee repub­li­can par­ty can­di­date forum. David Cross wants to audit and look at the mon­ey for the donors to feel con­fi­dent that they will know where the mon­ey is going. David wants to bring back truth and trans­paren­cy. 
• What is going on in the GAGOP? From June 10, 2023 to ear­ly 2025, a total of 140 refunds trans­ac­tions were iden­ti­fied in which $28,149 was refund­ed and these amounts do not match the con­tri­bu­tion. More than 52 peo­ple received more than one refund, some receiv­ing 4 refunds. Some of these refunds were nev­er donors. For more infor­ma­tion fol­low @realtimsharp on X. or email [email protected] for the entire list. 
• Lau­rie McClain is say­ing that the way the finances are loaded to the FEC web­site is how it has been done for years that it is a cul­ture. The FEC can be filed and amend­ed, but if filed late there is a fee. Ques­tions for Lau­rie: how many times has the FEC report been amend­ed and do you see the amend­ed report?