A Georgia Senate panel investigating the Fulton County prosecution of Donald Trump is now shifting its focus to Stacey Abrams and her former voter registration nonprofit, the New Georgia Project. The move follows a major campaign finance settlement involving the organization, marking another chapter in the state’s ongoing political and legal battles.
New Georgia Project Under the Microscope
Sen. Bill Cowsert, a Republican from Athens, has introduced Senate Resolution 292, which seeks to widen the Senate Special Committee on Investigations’ scope. The panel was initially formed to examine the indictment of Trump and his allies over their attempts to overturn Georgia’s 2020 election results. Now, it aims to scrutinize the New Georgia Project’s campaign finance violations and its connections to Abrams.
The organization, founded by Abrams in 2014, agreed to a $300,000 fine on January 15 as part of a settlement with the state ethics commission. The agreement stemmed from a 2019 case alleging the nonprofit had improperly funneled funds to Abrams’ 2018 gubernatorial campaign. Investigators found that the group failed to register as an independent committee, failed to disclose $4.2 million in contributions, and failed to report $3.2 million in expenditures.
“This isn’t just about one election,” Cowsert said. “It’s about ensuring transparency and accountability in campaign finance.”
Ethics Violations and Political Fallout
The settlement with the ethics commission was one of the largest in Georgia’s history, drawing significant attention to Abrams and the nonprofit. While Abrams herself has distanced from the New Georgia Project since stepping down before her 2018 campaign, her name remains closely tied to the organization’s activities.
The committee’s resolution states that Georgia’s existing laws might not adequately address “the legal and fiscal issues raised by the alleged and admitted conduct of multiple organizations with connections to Stacey Abrams.” This suggests that lawmakers could push for legislative reforms in nonprofit campaign finance regulations.
Critics argue the investigation is politically motivated. “It’s a clear attempt to discredit Abrams and the work she’s done to expand voter participation in Georgia,” said Democratic strategist Maya Thompson. “They’re targeting her because she’s been effective.”
The $2 Billion EPA Grant Controversy
Beyond campaign finance concerns, the Senate panel is also setting its sights on a $2 billion Environmental Protection Agency grant awarded in 2024 to an organization with ties to Abrams. The grant, designated for energy-efficient housing projects across the U.S., was awarded to Power Forward Communities, a coalition that includes Habitat for Humanity International, United Way, and Rewiring America.
Abrams served as senior counsel for Rewiring America from March 2023 to late 2024. Some lawmakers are questioning whether her past role in the organization influenced the grant’s approval. However, an investigation by PolitiFact found no evidence of wrongdoing. The Poynter Institute, which owns PolitiFact, recently debunked claims circulating on social media that Abrams had committed fraud in securing the funding.
Cowsert, however, insists that an independent state-level investigation is necessary. “We need to determine if taxpayer dollars were awarded fairly or if there was political favoritism at play,” he said.
Broader Implications for Abrams and Georgia Politics
The renewed scrutiny on Abrams comes at a time when she remains a powerful figure in Democratic politics despite her back-to-back losses to Gov. Brian Kemp in 2018 and 2022. While she has not announced plans for another gubernatorial bid, the ongoing investigations could impact her political future.
Republicans in the Georgia Senate see this as an opportunity to tighten oversight on nonprofits engaged in political activity. Meanwhile, Democrats argue that the focus on Abrams is a distraction from more pressing issues, such as election security and voter suppression.
“This is just another way to weaponize government against political opponents,” said Democratic Sen. Elena Parent. “Instead of addressing real concerns, they’re chasing headlines.”
With the committee now empowered to investigate both campaign finance violations and federal grant allocations, the controversy is far from over. Whether the probe will yield any legal consequences for Abrams or lead to legislative changes remains to be seen.
