Steve West: Cosby's Allegations "Have No Merit"

Cherokee County District 1 Commissioner Steve West is hitting back at an ethics complaint filed by a former supporter of his quest to unseat a longtime elected official.

Canton TEA Party Chair Carolyn Cosby late last week filed an ethics complaint against West, who is in his first term representing the northern half of the county.

In the complaint filed with the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission, Cosby accuses West of failing “to disclose the source of funds used to pay for campaign brochures that were mailed to registered voters in his district as well as source of funds for campaign signs used in his election.”

She also states West did not report expenses due to political consultant Brian Laurens related to the May 2014 primary election.

Cosby also alleges West failed to report “potential campaign donations” from Chris Cowart of Cowart Mulch Products, the company county leaders approved a letter of intent with to take over operations at the former Ball Ground Recycling facility.

“West told me he received a sizable donation from Mr. Chris Cowart for at least his campaign signs,” Cosby said in a statement. “It is important that we get to the bottom of this as West has been at the forefront of slamming through another sweetheart deal with secret meetings he denies.”

In a letter released on Monday to residents, West said the situation “saddens me because Carolyn and her friends have been supporters of mine and we share many common goals and constitutional values.”

Cosby campaigned heavily in 2014 against former District 1 Commissioner Harry Johnston, the incumbent West defeated in the May 2014 Republican primary.

West, who stated the TEA Party movement has been beneficial to the county and United States, added Cosby’s ”misguided, but aggressive” action discounts that positive aspect.

“Concerning her charges against me, rest assure(d) that they will be dismissed because they have no merit,” he goes on to state. “I will admit to you all that I am a sensitive guy and seeing this sort of terrible action taken against me shocks me. It is hard for me to witness (someone) who I once believed were friends now turn against me as they have. I guess that’s part of politics that all of really hate to see.”

West went on to say the support he’s garnered since the allegations have been made public has energized him to ”continue to move our county in the right direction.”

Along with the statement, West released receipts from Laurens Direct Mail, which show the campaign paying Laurens $11,591.40 for campaign mailers and signs. Those expenses were reported on the June, 30 2014 reporting period for that election season.

No stranger to controversy, Cosby herself has been the subject of ethics complaints filed by former elected officials as well as residents.

In his complaint, Canton resident Garret Jamieson alleges Cosby failed to register two organizations — Canton T.E.A. Party and Georgians For Healthcare Freedom Ltd. — with the state as committees.

Jamieson’s complaint was attached to a 2012 complaint filed by ex-Cherokee County Commissioner Karen Bosch, as they both accused Cosby of not registering groups she organized as independent committees, political action committees or ballot committees.

Those complaints aren’t the only ones lodged against Cosby. Resident Jeff Wilbur has also accused Cosby of also not reporting expenses related to signs she created and not registering Citizens Opposed to Spiraling Taxation as an independent committee during the May 20 Republican primary.

What Should You Read Next?

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• Another Ethics Charge Filed Against Carolyn Cosby
• Carolyn Cosby Faces Third Ethics Complaint
• USPS: Cosby Collecting Petition Signatures at Post Office Is “Illegal”
• Canton Tea Party Activist To Challenge Ahrens For Commission Chair
• Elections Board: Carolyn Cosby Can Run For Commission Chair
• Advocacy Group Shines Spotlight On Carolyn Cosby’s Finances
• Resident: Carolyn Cosby Refuses To Disclose Financial Information
• Resident: Carolyn Cosby’s Actions Show “Lack of Integrity”
• Ahrens Defeats Cosby in Cherokee Commission Chair Race
• Carolyn Cosby Accused of Violating Postal Service Rules -- Again
• District Attorneys: No Jurisdiction To Review Ball Ground Recycling Audit

Photo: Carolyn Cosby, left, and Steve West