ATLANTA, GA — After a years-long probe of the group’s finances, The New Georgia Project agreed to pay a $300,000 fine for 16 ethics violations during the 2018 campaign.

“While this is a significant fine in scale, I believe it’s also appropriate given the scope of which state law was violated in this case,” explained David Emadi, Executive Director of the State Ethics Commission. “This clearly represents the largest and most significant instance of an organization illegally influencing our elections in Georgia at a statewide level that we’ve ever uncovered.”

The panel found that The New Georgia Project and its related fundraised more than $4 million during the 2018 campaign, but failed to report it. They also said that the group should’ve registered as an independent committee.

“[The] respondents understand and respect the commission’s position on the facts and the law,” said attorney David Fox, who represents the New Georgia Project. “We believe that this is a reasonable resolution of this longstanding dispute that will enable everyone to move forward.”

The fine imposed by the commission is the largest ever levied, and Emadi hopes it sends a message. “If you break the law to influence our elections, we’re going to be diligent in our pursuit,” he said. “And we’re going to hold you accountable for what you’ve done.”