At its Dec. 4 meeting the State Ethics Commission approved a series of consent orders covering multiple candidates and political committees, accepting negotiated penalties and, in some cases, restitution to affected public entities.

Key items approved included a consent order in the matter of Keisha Waits resolving multiple reporting and intermingling violations with a civil penalty of $14,000 and restitution processes coordinated with the City of Atlanta. The commission also approved settlements involving Kyle Children First and Business Supporting Schools (each assessed about $5,000 and ordered to remit or correct contributions tied to aggregated contribution limits), and other matters that yielded late‑filing fees or civil penalties (Beatrice Williams, Murtis Johnson, Cynthia Adams, Fabian Velasquez, Kim Jenkins, Steven Hickey and Renee Godwin, among others).

Staff summarized violations, including failures to file required CCDRs or PFDS, mis‑itemized expenditures, and aggregated contributions from affiliated committees that exceeded legal limits. Several respondents had already paid assessed fines or amended filings as part of negotiated settlements.

Public comment on the consent agenda included remarks by Seth Levy of New Southern Majority, who urged the commission to strengthen campaign finance transparency and called attention to what his group characterized as shell‑company tactics in some school-board races. DeKalb County Commissioner Nicole Visaya also addressed commissioners to emphasize transparency in her own filings and to note she had filed additional materials proactively.

The commission voted to adopt the consent orders as presented; staff will implement payments, required restitution, and any follow‑up reporting.