Incoming speaker said he’ll work to change image at the Capitol

Incoming House Speaker Mark Burkhalter said this morning that he will instill in fellow lawmakers that “forever the state Capitol is a different place” after the highly publicized scandal that led to the resignation of outgoing speaker Glenn Richardson.

Burkhalter also said he didn’t know about the alleged affair Susan Richardson accused her husband of  having with an Atlanta Gas Light lobbyist at the time Glenn Richardson was pushing legislation that would benefit the utility.

“At that time, it was early in our tenure. I didn’t know about his personal life. I sensed it was in turmoil to some degree, but I didn’t know the specifics,”  Burkhalter said in an interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

“At the time. we had just gotten off a race for speaker against each other. What people do around here after hours, everybody has personal responsibility for that. ”

Of Richardson’s after-hours activity, Burkhalter said, “That is not my business and I didn’t know anything about that business.”

Richardson announced his resignation Thursday, four days after Susan Richardson told  WAGA that her husband had an affair.

The alleged affair was the subject of an ethics complaint filed by Democrats against Richardson in 2007. The ethics panel — made up in part by Richardson appointees—quickly dismissed the complaint.

Burkhalter said he is “stylistically and substantively” different than Richardson, and that lawmakers would work every day to earn the trust of Georgians.

“You earn their trust day-by-day, and you demonstrate it through your actions. Members already know they are held to a higher standard, and they should be. I will instill in our caucus what they already know, that forever the state Capitol is a different place.”

83 comments Add your comment

(I'm not a crook)

December 4th, 2009
11:42 am

$99,000 divided by 12 equals $8,250 that Glenn Richardson
should not recieve for December’s pay.

sos

December 4th, 2009
11:44 am

save our government

tc

December 4th, 2009
11:49 am

mr. speaker a little honesty please, the capitol is a small place and little goes on that leadership does not know about.

GA GOP

December 4th, 2009
11:50 am

That’s funny…

Nothing but hypocrisy and lies. Fire them all!

Ray James

December 4th, 2009
11:50 am

Burkhalter knew what was going on. He must think the public is stupid to believe that he didn’t know what the man he worked most closely with was doing.

whistle blower

December 4th, 2009
11:50 am

He didn’t know about the affair, not so fast Glen brought her into Kevin Rathbun Steak at least once a week.

itsme

December 4th, 2009
11:50 am

Burkhalter can begin earning my trust by refusing to accept any gifts from lobbyists. Period.

three jack

December 4th, 2009
11:53 am

nice job gop…what were you guys doing during the 130 years out of power while nobody was looking?

if republicans had a clue (they don’t), there would be a primary challenger in every single house and senate district this coming year.

Screw Up Birther, Deather,

December 4th, 2009
11:53 am

No doubt Burkhalter was not convince that Glen was having a affair with a Alien Lizard from Corporate HQ and Area 51………

three jack

December 4th, 2009
11:55 am

Ray wrote, “He must think the public is stupid…” — the ‘public’ elects these idiots…the question of collective public intelligence (or lack thereof) is demonstrated every 2 years as ‘we the public’ continue to send the same dirtbags back to atlanta.

Paul

December 4th, 2009
12:00 pm

Hey Ray, I work with the public every day and “the public” is very stupid. I would be concerned if he thought the public was smart.

Replacement?

December 4th, 2009
12:03 pm

Sorry, I put this on the last blog, which closed:

You have reported regarding the election of a new speaker, but what about a replacement for his seat for District 19? Is someone appointed or does a special election get held? If it is an election, how is someone going to be in place prior to the start of the session? Does District 19 just go unrepresented for this session?

Truth Seeker

December 4th, 2009
12:06 pm

Next verse, same as the first….” No, really, I didn’t Know”!!! Yea, Right……

tc

December 4th, 2009
12:07 pm

paul, what are the main reasons for public stupidity: race, gender, socioeconomic, religion, lack of true journalism/outlets? just curious

James Salzer

December 4th, 2009
12:11 pm

After Richardson’s resignation becomes official, Gov. Perdue will call a special election for the District 19 seat. The district will probably start the session without a House member, but may have one by the end of the session

Kitty

December 4th, 2009
12:18 pm

I went to a harassment seminar last week. The law firm that lead the seminar said that all management was responsible for activities that would affect the reputation of the company, even if it was afterhours. Does the House ignore relations with Lobbists if they are afterhours?

Bubba

December 4th, 2009
12:24 pm

Sorry, but this ain’t much different than what from Dennis O’Hair on NPR yesterday afternoon when he spoke w. Burkhalter.

citizen

December 4th, 2009
12:28 pm

If Mark Burkhalter didn’t know about the affair, he’s not smart enough to be Speaker or a Representative!!
I will agree that the majority of Georgians aren’t the smartest bulbs in the pack, but some of us follow current events know better than to believe that he didn’t know what was going on at the Capitol.

Joeventures

December 4th, 2009
12:31 pm

So the Legislature will be different, how? The lobster dinners paid for by highway contractors will have paper napkins instead of cloth? Georgia Power will have one lobbyist for every legislator, instead of one for every four? The Speaker’s Hawks will start participating in committee debates instead of just voting?

Bobby

December 4th, 2009
12:31 pm

I don’t believe Burkhalter any more than I do other politicians. If they were honest they would ban ALL lobbyists from paying for any tabs or giving any gifts, monetary or in kind to members of the legislature.

I see more of the same and nothing else.

Nick

December 4th, 2009
12:32 pm

So, the ethics panel largely made up of Richardson appointees quickly dismissed the charges into an affair which now is proved to have actually happened. Good to know there are such fine, ethical people on the ethics panel.

Burkhalter is a (current or former) developer. So keep an eye on him when there is any issue that involves development. Don’t be surprised if Cumberland Island is condos and McMansions before you can say “Mark Burkhalter.”

Yosemite Sam

December 4th, 2009
12:33 pm

It appears Secretary of State Karen Handel is the only politician in Atlanta who had the guts to say what others should have said long ago. Other politicians did nothing, even while the state budget continued to tumble down around us. These people are supposed to serve us, not each other.

jim

December 4th, 2009
12:40 pm

What a surprise – nobody knew anything! I am reminded of Casablanca when Louie ( the french cop) tells Bogart at the end of the movie how shocked he was that there was gambling at the club. This after Louie had been in the club gambling every night. Same thing with the Repubs in Atlanta. In scrambling to the right all the time, they never seem to look over the other shoulder to see what is really going on. The beat goes on. Unfortunately.

jim

December 4th, 2009
12:42 pm

P.S. Burkhalter saying that the capitol will never be the same – Yeah, watch it get worse.

Freedom5

December 4th, 2009
1:00 pm

No one seems surprised by this. Is it because we expect Republican office holders to be involved in sex scandals, be on the take from lobbyists, and treat big business better than they treat you and me? Of course it is. Voters who don’t learn from past mistakes will have to put up with the same nonsense over and over again.

Olin Newby

December 4th, 2009
1:00 pm

It is a shame that the average citizen does not have any representation in the Halls of the State Capitol any more . It appears that the so-called leaders of this State is more interest in satisfying their own needs and have greed enough to do whatever it takes to fulfill that greed and satisfaction and to HELL with the average people who they are suppose to represent . These people do not know how to lead . It is very sad for the State of Georgia to have this situation . These so called leaders have stripped the State of its resources ,all for things that really didn’t benefit the General population of this Great State of Georgia . These Politicians tell us anything to keep their greed going . We do not have any” Statesman ” anymore that will stand up for what is right . We need to vote all out of office and try someone else that we hope will do what is right . Olin Newby Washington , Ga.

bulldog

December 4th, 2009
1:05 pm

Uuugghhh! Is there anyone in the House GOP caucus with any leadership? If so, speak up!

bill

December 4th, 2009
1:14 pm

Isn’t this the same Mark Burkhalter that got caught on a trip paid for by the legislature with strippers in a hotel in Hilton Head or was that just made up?

Carl

December 4th, 2009
1:19 pm

The white house and this house seem to be going
in the same direction. They keep geting caught with their
pants down. One thing you got right Mr. Speaker the State Capitol is a
different place. A place that knows how to produce bad peaches.

Michael

December 4th, 2009
1:19 pm

This is what happens when you put a majority of fat headed rubes from hick towns all over the state into high office and move them to Atlanta. They’re easily swayed by the power and all the other big city “diversions”. Couple that with the natural propensity of most repiglicans to be complete immoral scumbags who’ll lie, cheat, and steal their way to the top and you’ve got a potent cocktail of crookedness.

Kick ‘em all out, starting with the king fat headed rube, Sonny Perdouchebag.

bill

December 4th, 2009
1:31 pm

Enter your comments here

bill

December 4th, 2009
1:33 pm

I’m sorry, the legislature didn’t pay for Burkhalter’s trip to South Carolina with strippers, lobbyists did.

Not Going To Use My Usual Name

December 4th, 2009
1:41 pm

Say what you will about ol’ Tom Murphy, but I never heard of anything like this mess coming from his office.

Bob A

December 4th, 2009
1:49 pm

Mark Burkhalter took over $50,000.00 from lobbyists
and he says thing will change.

YADAYADAYADA

Mr. Grumpy

December 4th, 2009
1:53 pm

Speaker Burkhalter: You didn’t know what was going on? Oh, come on now! The custodial staff at the Capitol knew what was going on. And Richardson’s comings and goings with a number of different people weren’t exactly state secrets. He conducted himself in such a way that he showed contempt for his own constiuents. So, your first interview with the AJC and your public declaration of not knowing what he was doing earns you: STRIKE ONE !!!!

Lie #1

December 4th, 2009
2:15 pm

Burkhalter knew every last detail. Don’t be fooled. That’s what politics is all about…compiling and filing as much knowledge on your enemies and allies to play the right card at the right time. Having worked at the Gold Dome for several years, there is nothing that goes unnoticed amongst the peasants and bourgeois alike.

By the way, Richardson, you’ve got whatever I’ve got. You might want to check with your doctor…or at least with a local hospital alliance. Your parking spot wasn’t the only thing I got to first…

jim

December 4th, 2009
2:15 pm

Am always amazed with the Repubs and the support they get from the religious right. A bunch of two faced hacks who are incapable of keeping their pants on but say the right things at election time. And people cannot or will not see through that garbage?
Mark Sanford, Charles Ensign, Bob Livingston, etc. Maybe, just maybe, people will begin to rethink things. Or more likely, they will stay the same idiotic way.

jc

December 4th, 2009
2:17 pm

Burkhalter had to know of the speakers doings. They all are BAD APPLES!!!

Mark's skeleton

December 4th, 2009
2:19 pm

Mr. James Salzer:
I am the skeleton of Msrk’s past and I am clanging in my closet. I am dying (shh) for you to ask the New speaker about the old “Midget Mafia” he was a part of with our former Fuilton County Chairman. When Mark first was elected, who was his running buddy at the Capital that later won the Fulton County Chair and later was disgraised? Ask our new speaker about his fun time at Defuskie Island and if he never saw the girls there. He was only smoking cigars and playing golf. Mark has a long history of not knowing what is going on around him. But what doI know, I’m just a skeleton in a closet.

Shar

December 4th, 2009
2:34 pm

Wouldn’t it be refreshing if this year the leadership broke with tradition and did not hold the “Wild Hog”kick-off dinner which is always paid for by lobbyists so they can start the year schmoozing with the legislators? Hey, Burkhalter, show us some difference and pay for your own dinner!

Dan Dawg

December 4th, 2009
2:54 pm

I call BS. Just more of the same ol’ “turn a blind eye” hypocrisy from the Republican leadership. Richardson was trying to screw Georgians with an unnecessary $350 million gas pipeline at taxpayer expense, all because he was getting screwed. Sex in exchange for higher taxes for us all — how conservative. This behavior is inexcusable and admonishing it should’ve taken precedence over his personal relationships in the House. Unbelievable.

kris

December 4th, 2009
3:05 pm

Another conservative republican hypocrite!

ML1968

December 4th, 2009
3:08 pm

“At the time” you did not know…

Mr. Burkhalter, when did you know? Since there had been an ethics violation filed and dismissed, and since the speaker had publicly claimed it was a “baseless” charge, what was your duty when you learned? What did you do?

We have a right to know, yes?

Name One

December 4th, 2009
3:27 pm

Burkhalter sure likes receiving males and gifts from lobbyists. So how are ya going to be any different, Mark??

TB

December 4th, 2009
3:28 pm

“Work to change the image” – Does this mean we will finally have a state government that cares about Atlanta and the State of Georgia? That takes important issues like MARTA seriously? Kasim Reed came from the state legislature, let’s hope he can use all his contacts there to better our city.

Jimmy B

December 4th, 2009
3:40 pm

We need a wind from somewhere else to clean the place out…
Power and money are two things many folks can’t handle wisely.

FALCON JOSH

December 4th, 2009
4:01 pm

Burkhalter was a member of the “Daufuskie Five,” a group of lawmakers who went on a 1995 lobbyist-funded golfing outing to Daufuskie Island that was also attended by four dancers from the Cheetah nude dancing club.

Arthur Blank

December 4th, 2009
4:07 pm

Anyone know the name of this Gas lobbyist bade. I haven’t had any sexual harassment charges against me in a few years now and I need some loving!!!

ATL

December 4th, 2009
4:18 pm

North Fulton is consolidating its hold on the GOP. Say goodbye to reason and a united Georgia. Say hello to racism and classism under the guise of independence (confederate style) for rich suburbanites who want every dime they pay in taxes to come directly back to them individually in services. Every man for himself.

You Know Better

December 4th, 2009
4:26 pm

Arthur Blank, you were all loved out by Michael Vick; you better just stay at home old man.

BobbyMalone

December 4th, 2009
4:44 pm

I feel bad for Glenn Richardson, all his friends in Paulding are dead or have denied ever knowing him now that he has no power or credibility. The sheriff was forced to release the reports after refusing to talk about the case, and his wife is dishing dirt as a credible and believable victim. He has no where to turn, his remaining fair weather friends un-coupled and ran like a bunch of rats the minute the truth came out a week ago. That stark realization has to hurt more than anything else.

James Salzer

December 4th, 2009
4:49 pm

Re: Mark’s skeleton. We reported that in this morning’s paper

nita

December 4th, 2009
5:15 pm

from an article in today’s ajc…..
…..Burkhalter (R-Johns Creek), the speaker pro tem, has received even more — $52,076.

Georgia Power, for instance, has spent $7,120 entertaining Burkhalter since 2005, records show. The community hospitals group spent $3,076. AGL, which pushed the controversial pipeline bill that connected Richardson and the lobbyist with whom he allegedly had an affair, spent $1,833 on Burkhalter, the measure’s lead sponsor

Ben

December 4th, 2009
5:42 pm

Hey all of you guys should cut him some slack at least he’s done the right thing by resigning unlike the Governor of South Carolina who’s going to fight his impeachment. Also, I’m sure there are some of you on this board guilty of the same thing but didn’t get caught so don’t pretend that there’s an overwhelming moral outrage here. We’re all sinners but some of us fall farther and harder than the rest of the crowd.

Sick and Tired

December 4th, 2009
6:15 pm

I have never been so sick and tired of anything than I am of the Politicians in this State. They are all a bunch of liars, adulators and crooks and it starts from the top and goes down. I hope and pray that every registered voter will remember all this, and vote them ALL out in the next election. No one can convince me that everyone in that capital including the Govnah didn’t know about this affair and that makes them ALL guilty.

Lobbyist

December 4th, 2009
9:48 pm

As a former lobbyist for a non profit, I can assure anyone that there are no secrets at the Capitol. Everybody knows who’s sleeping with whom. Many legislators (both Dem and Rep) actually brag about it. I recall a House member shouting to someone on the senate side of the
third floor balcony that he had a “married gal from Columbus” waiting
for him at his (hotel) suite. Things need to be straightened out, but I doubt it they will be.

Enough Already

December 4th, 2009
11:01 pm

The House is trading one scandal for another by moving from Richardson to Burkhalter. The place is out of control. It’s a sad state of affairs.

The people of Georgia deserve better than this.

Thank God for Karen Handel having the guts to speak up for common sense and for what’s right. Why can’t we have more true public servants like Karen Handel?

Hopefully she helps bring the Republican Party back from the brink…

Outside insider

December 4th, 2009
11:37 pm

Replacement: Richardson resigned as speaker and can still represent his district…or did he resign his House seat too?

party crasher $325,000.

December 4th, 2009
11:45 pm

I have not heard anyone say it was unethical for richardson to take $72,000. per year from paulding county until the commisioner chairman buddy got booted out of office. For what I do not have a clue?

agatha

December 5th, 2009
6:27 am

I do not believe for a moment that Mr. Burkhalter did not know about Richardson’s affair with the lobbyist…they are all corrupt!

Norman B.

December 5th, 2009
11:02 am

This is truly a shame…I knew Glen personally…and know how hard he worked for the Party and to gain the Speaker position…it’s a big let down to see this happen to him…here’s to the best to Glen in the future!

G. N..

December 5th, 2009
11:06 am

To the guy that made the remark about Tom Murphy…you may not heard much from his office…but you really didn’t know Tom!!

Georgia Constituents

December 5th, 2009
2:47 pm

Our hope is that the new House Speaker Mark Burkhalter will follow the lead of House Judiciary Chairman Wendell Willard (R-Sandy Springs) who – along with Bill Bozarth and Common Cause – are making a long overdue stand regarding the unethical influences of lobbyists with legislators.

AJC excerpt: “Bill Bozarth’s group, Common Cause, has worked with House Judiciary Chairman Wendell Willard (R-Sandy Springs) on a bill that would prohibit candidates from transferring more than $10,000 in an election cycle to other candidates, parties, campaign committees or PACs.”

We encourage the new House Speaker to finally address the fact that Governor Perdue does not want to “bite the hand that feeds him” now and possibly in the future. Perdue constantly avoids asking for any accountability by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia in his responses to many emails sent to his office via the internet at “Contact the Governor” (one example of many is below).

Even Columnist Dick Yarbrough stated in the Marietta Daily Journal on August 29, 2009 that Perdue has been approached to become UGA President after his term (as Adams may be considered to become the new Chancellor).

The fact that Regent Leebern gave $25,000 to Perdue’s PAC fund (see AJC article below) is just one clear indicator (of many) of the BOR “lobbyists” having a strong influence on Perdue. Legislators have been fully informed by their constituents (including Senate Higher Education Chairman Seth Harp) – to no avail.

Even Columnist Bill Shipp (now retired) reported these unethical BOR practices in an article in 2003 and, still, legislators still choose to look the other way.

We are simply asking for legislators to bring back accountability by the Board of Regents to someone – other than the BOR themselves. House Speaker Burkhalter – along with House Judiciary Chairman Wendell Willard (R-Sandy Springs) – could be instrumental in Georgia taxpayers achieving that much needed goal.

One of Perdue’s many responses are below:

From: Georgia.Governor@gov.state.ga.us
Date: Mon, Aug 10, 2009 at 2:26 PM
Subject: Re: Contact the Governor
STATE OF GEORGIA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
ATLANTA 30334-0900

Sonny Perdue
GOVERNOR

Thank you for taking the time to make me aware of your thoughts about the University System of Georgia.

I understand your concerns about what you perceive to be unnecessary expenditures in these difficult budget times. I must tell you, however, that Georgia’s Constitution reserves to the Board of Regents the exclusive authority to make such decisions. See Ga. Const. Art. 8, Sec. 3, Para. 1(c). For that reason, I encourage you to share your concerns with the Board of Regents:

Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia
270 Washington Street, SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
404-656-2211 http://www.usg.edu

Take a moment to read Jim Wall’s article dated October 5, 2009 to see the results of the Board of Regents’ “exclusive authority.” Link to full story:
http://www.atlantaunfiltered.com/2009/10/05/university-execs-deferred-pay-often-hidden-tops-7-million/

bubba in statesboro

December 5th, 2009
3:36 pm

Many reporters are asking Mark Burkhalter if he has any skeletons.
Alot of posters here think he does.

A better question is whether Eric Johnson, who covered up for Glenn
Richardson, has any skeletons in his closet.

Any “hotties”, in the words of Karen Handel? And special lease deals?

Allan Brown

December 6th, 2009
6:27 am

House Ethics Committee: See no evil; Hear no evil; Speak no evil! Do you REALLY think the Ethics Committee is going to punish one of their own? Too much of the “good ol’ boy” network! Scratch my back; I’ll scratch yours!

Sam

December 6th, 2009
8:25 am

“Incoming speaker said he’ll work to change image at the Capitol.” Well, changing the ‘image’ would be nice. But, more importantly the reality has to change. They need rules, and enforcement of those rules, to stop the coziness with lobbyists and compel more openness in how laws are passed and why. They need to end the gifts, the expensive meals, the boozy parties with lobbyists and interns. If a legislator says that he (or she) needs those in order to do his job, he should not be there. If a legislator says that those things do not influence which laws get passed, he is either a fool or a liar.

Scott

December 6th, 2009
8:39 am

Over the years, I’ve been to a number of events at the Depo for legislators. These events are sponsored by various groups, companies, and associations who want to influence legislation. They all have plenty of free booze (and young beautiful people). The only one that did not have the booze was the Wild Hog at the beginning of the session. At first, I could not understand why this one had none. Then it dawned on me that this was the one that legislators brought their wives to. I guess to show them how boring and tame the big city was. After that, the wives are sent home for the rest of the session and the party begins.

thank you repub party

December 6th, 2009
1:45 pm

nathan deal. ralph reed and glenn can welcome roy back into the gold dome, thanks guys we gave you the power and what did you do with it. all republicans need to resign and reform the party. are we to believe that no one in the gen assembly knows what goes on after hours?

mark B

December 6th, 2009
1:50 pm

glenn is the real victim here the gbi and gsp should have tracked her (susan) and the boyfriend down. had they done there job this whole issue would be swept under the rug and glenn could then find those p[eople who were giving him poison. glenn could have gotten back to the states business.

family

December 6th, 2009
1:52 pm

i am embarassed to be a republican because we are the party who supports family values. looks like we have been made fools of (again – ralph reed)

republican

December 6th, 2009
1:55 pm

we have the power under the dome. we can put this behind us. glenn was atypical and not a very good leader. there are democrats who did the same thing. glenn should retire to his home without his family that is punishment enough.

rnc

December 6th, 2009
1:56 pm

glenn richardson did more to hurt the rep party than sherman ever thought about

indict

December 6th, 2009
1:57 pm

what does nathan deal say

foolish

December 6th, 2009
2:01 pm

all ALL Politicans are corrupt not just us republicans – George Bush really did more to hurt the party , Glenn just took it in a different direction. can’t wait for the Wall Street Journal to report on this and put our state in the forefront of adultry and corruption.

fallen

December 6th, 2009
2:03 pm

Defuskie Island , ralph reed, Jack Abrahmoff, George Bush, Glenn, Nathan Deal. Our leaders, would you invite them over to your home for dinner and want your neighbor to know?

Southern Lady

December 6th, 2009
2:28 pm

The republicans have done more to bring shame on the gold dome than any other party or person. Lobbist know all they have to do is give contributions and gifts to some of these people and they
can have any piece of legislation passed. Our tax dollars at work! Elect Nathan Deal governor and this kind of behavior will continue. He is bi-politican….was a democrat and now a republican …in other words he is any bodies dog that will hunt with him!!!!!! ….that is if the price is right! Know him, campaigned for him……learned my lesson the hard way. He is the last person we need in the Governor’s Office.

disgraced

December 6th, 2009
3:01 pm

what will glenn do for a living now that he has screwed up this gig. Anybody have a photo or the name of this girl he slept with. do they still keep in contact?

Southern Lady

December 6th, 2009
7:12 pm

Disgraced just go to alg website and click on their lobbist site…..there is only one female and she is listed as “inactive”….could this be her? My sources say it just might be her.

matt

December 6th, 2009
8:49 pm

Burkhalter is either a complete idiot or a bald-faced liar if he didn’t know what was going on. Not the kind of person who should be in a critical leadership position on this sinking ship of a state.

ken

December 6th, 2009
9:41 pm

Perhaps Burkhalter is a less arrogant crook than Richardson. Phonies they all are. These folks are guiding public education in the state…kinda scary. They are only interested in covering their backsides.

ken

December 6th, 2009
9:42 pm

Sonny Perdue is the poorest excuse for a governor that I’ve seen and that includes Hypocrite Spitzer in NY.

Dewey Cheatham

December 10th, 2009
11:20 am

It’s unfortunate that the USG Chancellor doesn’t use the same standard of “(working) every day to earn the trust of Georgians” for his Macon State president. If he did, MSC would be “a different place.”

The taxman

December 11th, 2009
12:48 pm

The GOP is crooked!!!!!