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Ethics probe sought on Abdul-Salaam

The Fayette County Republican Party is asking the state’s Ethics Commission to investigate “improper” entries on campaign contribution disclosure reports filed by Georgia House District 74 candidate Roberta Abdul-Salaam of Riverdale.

The request was filed Monday, as voters began hitting the polls for early voting, in a letter written by Lane Watts, chairman of the Fayette County Republican Party.

Salaam, a Democrat, is facing north Fayette resident Emory Wilkerson, a Republican, in the House District 74 race.

“In these reports she shows that she improperly used campaign contributions to pay rent at two locations, utilities, telephone bill, groceries, rental car, hotel in Savannah and reimbursed herself $1,000 which was not shown as a loan to the campaign,” the letter claims. “A complete investigation of her receipts and checks seems to be in order,” Watts wrote.

Salaam, of Riverdale, indicated Tuesday morning that she was unaware of the complaint. Salaam said she wanted to speak to her attorney before making any official comment on the charges.

Salaam is no stranger to controversy, as poll workers complained about her campaigning in the Morning Creek poll at New Hope Baptist Church during the primary election. Salaam countered that she was merely inside to bring poll officials’ attention to the lack of a sign required by law to remind candidates they can’t campaign within 150 feet of a polling place.

In her Sept. 30 report, Salaam lists new contributions of $16,516, over $13,000 of which was in cash.