ATLANTA, Ga. (AP) — A former Georgia ethics commission computer specialist says he altered and removed dozens of documents in a case involving the governor.
John Hair tells The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and WSB-TV he removed and condensed documents from the file for the investigation into complaints accusing Gov. Nathan Deal of misusing campaign funds in the 2010 election.
The newspaper previously reported Hair said in sworn testimony he was fired after refusing a request from commission executive secretary Holly LaBerge to remove another document earlier this year.
Attorneys for Deal and LaBerge disputed Hair's claims.
Hair says he doesn't know the details of the documents because he didn't examine them closely, but he believes they included financial information.
The commission imposed a $3,350 penalty on the governor, considerably less than the $70,000 originally recommended.
Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal says competing personal agendas among Ethics Commission staffers may be linked to the fallout over allegations that commission leaders intervened in an investigation into his 2010 campaign.
Deal spoke to reporters Wednesday after ex-commission computer specialist John Hair told local media outlets he was asked to alter and remove dozens of documents in a case involving the governor.
Hair says he didn't examine the documents closely, but believes they included financial information.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported Hair testified that he was fired after refusing a request from commission executive secretary Holly LaBerge to remove another document earlier this year.
Deal and LaBerge's lawyers have disputed Hair's claims.
