The Georgia State Ethics Commission has determined that there are "reasonable grounds" to believe Shekita Maxwell, a former mayoral candidate in Macon, violated campaign finance laws. The commission found multiple instances of improper financial management and illegal practices during her unsuccessful bid against incumbent Mayor Lester Miller. Key issues include the acceptance of an anonymous donation, failure to file required reports, and commingling personal and campaign funds. These findings have allowed the ethics case to proceed.

Maxwell's campaign was marred by significant financial mismanagement and non-compliance with state regulations. Despite losing the election with only 20% of the vote, allegations persist regarding her handling of campaign finances. The commission highlighted several specific violations, including accepting an illegal $3,000 anonymous donation, failing to set up a dedicated campaign bank account, and not filing three out of four required financial disclosure reports. This inadequate reporting has raised concerns about the legitimacy of her campaign expenditures.

Campaign Finance Mismanagement Raises Red Flags

One of the most critical issues identified by the ethics commission is Maxwell's poor management of campaign finances. According to Timothy Baywal, the commission’s representative, Maxwell filed only one out of four required Campaign Contribution Disclosure Reports (CCDR). Even this single report was deemed legally insufficient. It grouped donors into broad categories like "church" and "family" without listing individual names or necessary details. Additionally, it included an illegal $3,000 anonymous donation, which under Georgia law should have been transferred to the state treasury.

This lack of transparency extends beyond just the reporting. Maxwell reportedly intermingled campaign funds with her personal accounts, a clear violation of state regulations. Baywal noted that this practice made it nearly impossible to verify how funds were used or ensure they were spent appropriately. Furthermore, there were unreported expenditures, including website development and advertisements, raising further doubts about the integrity of her financial records. The commission emphasized that these oversights could lead to serious legal consequences for Maxwell.

Ethics Violations Prompt Unanimous Board Action

The Georgia State Ethics Commission unanimously agreed to advance the case against Maxwell based on multiple alleged violations. One of the most glaring issues was her acceptance of a $3,000 anonymous donation, which is illegal under state law. Maxwell initially reported this donation as coming from an anonymous group but later amended it to list her mother as the donor. Both actions violate campaign finance rules, as donations must be accepted directly from the original source.

Beyond the financial discrepancies, Maxwell also missed three critical reporting deadlines. When notified of these failures, she allegedly hung up on Baywal and accused him of bias. Her attempts to delay the hearing by claiming a medical appointment were dismissed due to lack of evidence and scheduling inconsistencies. The commission concluded that Maxwell had ample time to attend the meeting while still making her claimed appointment. As a result, the board denied her request to postpone and proceeded with the hearing in her absence. Chairman James Kreyenbuhl suggested that additional violations might come to light as the investigation continues, indicating that the current six counts may not encompass all potential infractions.