Transition official raising money for legal defense of former aide to Glenn Richardson
John Watson, the former chief of staff for Gov. Sonny Perdue and a member of the Nathan Deal transition team, has confirmed that he’s also raising money for the legal defense of a Georgia lobbyist indicted in Alabama on federal corruption charges.
Watson identified Jay Walker, former chief of staff to House Speaker Glenn Richardson, as a personal friend. They developed a close relationship while working for their respective bosses – and were, for a time, neighbors in the west Cobb County-Paulding County area.
Walker, married with two young daughters, was one of 11 arrested last month – including four state senators — on charges of conspiracy, bribery and honest services fraud involving legislation to legalize electronic bingo machines.
Watson recently sent out an e-mail to friends, trying to raise $50,000 for Walker’s defense fund — hard work in these economic times. He wrote:
“I need to implore everyone to dig deep and do all that you and your family can for Jay and his family. Please consider what you would hope others would do for you if in a similar situation.”
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80 comments Add your comment
Birds of a Feather
November 4th, 2010
4:59 pm
I’ve been a Republican voter for most of my life, and it’s shady crap like this that made me turn my back on party loyalty this year. Power attracts corruption, and the Georgia GOP is no longer leading with ideas. Instead, the power hungry have taken over – it’s all career politicians now, pandering to the lowest common denominator. I’ll continue to punish the GOP by voting elsewhere until things get better, but I’m clearly in the minority in Georgia.
Last Man Standing
November 4th, 2010
5:21 pm
This is one member of the transition team that should be terminated forthwith. This activity is NOT what we expect or condone.
GA Native
November 4th, 2010
5:23 pm
Yup, you’re in the minority. The average Georgia voter could care less who the candidate is as long as he or she has an “R” by their name. Stupid is as stupid does.
Can someone please tell me what Sonny accomplished during his time in office. If you say he boosted hs graduation rates above 80%, you should be forced to go back and complete high school yourself.
ROBOCOP
November 4th, 2010
5:29 pm
If Jay Walker wasn’t a Republican insider, John Watson wouldn’t waste one minute of his time and could care less. I know both of these guys and Walker made his own bed. When you lie down with dogs, you get fleas. All of a sudden Watson is worried about Walker’s wife and 2 small children, Walker should have been thinking about them when he was wheeling and dealing in ‘Bama.
Aquagirl
November 4th, 2010
5:30 pm
Last man, you didn’t expect this? Who is this “we” you’re referring to? I have news for ya hon, it is exactly what is expected and condoned by the Republicans, THEY’RE THE ONES DOING IT. You think you’re included in that “we,” don’t you? Those people could not possibly care less what anyone thinks. Lemmings like you support them over and over, no matter what.
Last Man Standing
November 4th, 2010
5:46 pm
Aquagirl:
Thanks for your input. Couldn’t have lived without it.
speak the truth
November 4th, 2010
5:53 pm
What a dumbass Watson is. Just like his former boss Sonny P. Why do these guys continue to embarrass the party? I hope Natan tosses him off his team immediately.
Jay Walker set his own course on this. He can use some of the big $ he is sure to have gotten that lead him to this mess
Last Man Standing
November 4th, 2010
5:58 pm
“charges of conspiracy, bribery and honest services fraud involving legislation to legalize electronic bingo machines.”
“Please consider what you would hope others would do for you if in a similar situation.”
I’ve got a news flash for you, Watson. I would not and will not ever be “in a similar situation”, nor would anyone else with whom I associate. In fact, Watson, most Georgians would not find themselves in a a similar situation. Maybe he could contact Roy Barnes?
otis
November 4th, 2010
6:00 pm
i caught a 12.8lb bass thanks to sonny it was good.
Don't blame me
November 4th, 2010
6:15 pm
I voted for Handel.
Aquagirl
November 4th, 2010
6:18 pm
LOL, Last man, please, continue posturing on here with that royal “we” of non-approval, like you decide what’s Republican or not. Those guys are laughing their fat azzes off at you.
You won’t associate with those people because they aren’t cutting lemmings like you in on the action. As long as you vote for them, you’re doing your little rodent part.
catlady
November 4th, 2010
6:21 pm
Y’know, we thought Roy Barnes was so bad. Then came Sonny Purdue and we discovered what an AWFUL job could be done on the people of this state. NOW we have Sonny 2, who doesn’t even pretend to look out for anyone but himself.
Woe to Georgia!
I guess it is called “perspective.”
dorothy stapen
November 4th, 2010
6:30 pm
Last Man Standing…there will be a rather significant detailed media story soon on Deal’s financial shenanigans, and it will be brutal. You, sir, and those like you have been used shamelessly by Messrs. Deal and Riley.
Hall Native
November 4th, 2010
6:37 pm
Last Man Standing – I’ve watched you support Deal for days now – attacking anyone who disagrees with you. This is what you get with Deal. Two days in and already 2 lobbyists, 1 position purchaser and this moron. I believe you are going to be very disappointed with your choice fairly quickly.Hope I’m wrong. I hope you are a stand up enough guy to admit it when the light finally dawns on you.
Innerestin'
November 4th, 2010
6:51 pm
Wow. It amazes me how acrimonious we’ve all become towards each other when it comes to expressing a political opinion. Last Man Standing’s comments struck me as fairly innocuous. I must be missing a back story here, but it seems like he is the one being attacked. He said Watson’s fundraising efforts for a corrupt political insider is intolerable. Is that somehow offensive or disagreeable? Sounds pretty spot-on to me.
Jackpot
November 4th, 2010
6:55 pm
Riley is the puppet master and Watson is his tool.
Billy Bob
November 4th, 2010
7:05 pm
John Watson is a tool alright! What an ass. I cannot believe Watson was named to the Deal transition team. He will do everything he can to keep his puppetmaster Perdue’s programs and people in place…..all those given cushy jobs by Sonny in recent months. I think it is telling how Watson is raising defense funds for fellow sleeze.
Nathan Please....
November 4th, 2010
7:11 pm
Nathan……please get this Watson guy off your transition team. You cannot afford to have people wondering if funds for legal defense might turn into funds for you, too. You have been through months of accusations about your own ethics and issues. I want to believe you. But, with this guy on your team, I have to think “birds of a feather”! Get him off before your administration gets off to a bad start!!!
professional skeptic
November 4th, 2010
7:14 pm
He’s just getting some practice in — soon enough it’ll be time to start raising funds for Nathan Deal’s corruption defense.
Dan
November 4th, 2010
7:15 pm
John Watson should remove himself from the transition team immediately. If he is truly devoted to the party and the success of Nathan Deal, he cannot be part of the transition AND raising funds for someone who appears to have been caught n the act. This sends a horrible message on ethics, the Republican party, and the Deal Administration.
Hugh Jass
November 4th, 2010
7:24 pm
Did Deal know this when he named Watson to the transition team? If so, what a moron. If not, he should dump this guy. I wondered why John Watson would be name to the transition team anyway. Was Deal thinking….”Sonny has been such a roaring success, I need to get one of his guys to tell me who to keep and how to run state government!” Watson’s participation just means more of the same. This bit of news means more shady dealings!
Retired Soldier
November 4th, 2010
7:51 pm
I also have “experience” with Walker with him doing the big boys dirty work. I have no love lost for this idiot, don’t know if he is guilty or not, but if he is I hope he gets th book thrown at him.
I agree w/ Last Man Standing, someone raising money for him should be shown the door post haste.
Aquagirl
November 4th, 2010
8:06 pm
Y’all elected Deal even after he ducked ethics investigations, refused to release his tax returns, and didn’t address reasonable questions on his business shenanigans. You stood shoulder-to-shoulder with this guy when he whined reporters were being “inappropriate” by asking him questions he didn’t want to answer.
Now you want to register your disapproval from atop your high horses? Yeah, right. Deal is not doing anything different, you already said this was OK with you if you voted for him, so STFU with your nose-in-the-air pronouncements. They have absolutely no credibility.
J Edgar
November 4th, 2010
8:09 pm
I hope the FBI will pitch a tent in the halls of power. Heaven help us, it’s already a free-for-all.
CourtneyF
November 4th, 2010
8:16 pm
Dear Mr. Gov., Please let me know when the Bingo is?
Kayla
November 4th, 2010
8:18 pm
Hey,I’m Nathan’s cousin.(I promise you I am)I’m so proud of Nathan.Congragulations Nathan.I love you.Hope I can see you soon.
Alex
November 4th, 2010
8:18 pm
How much do you suppose an individual or one of Sonny Perdue’s placed staff must contribute to the Jay Walker Defense Fund for John Watson to recommend hiring or keeping said individuals in the Deal administration? This whole thing stinks! Sounds like Deal and John Watson are putting government jobs up for sale…..just using this “defense fund” as cover.
professional skeptic
November 4th, 2010
8:20 pm
Aquagirl
November 4th, 2010
8:06 pm
Amen, Aquagirl, amen!
I think someone has name-jacked Last Man’s blog handle, because he damn sure wasn’t concerned about Nathan Deal’s ethics or shady associations BEFORE the election…
Let me be clear: Nathan Deal WANTS to be good friends with this guy, because soon enough ol’ Shady Deal will be needing all the help he can get to raise funds for his own corruption charges.
Bart Graham
November 4th, 2010
8:20 pm
Mr. Watson……how much do I need to give to keep my job as Revenue Commissioner?
Lance
November 4th, 2010
8:25 pm
Sure sounds like jobs are for sale. If donations to the fund are left over, will Watson use them to help Deal with his debts? Sounds like a former government lackey turned lobbyists trying to buy some favor.
Jiggle The Handle
November 4th, 2010
8:37 pm
Why is everyone suddenly so concerned that Nathan Deal “cleanse” his transition team simply because it contains a couple of questionable characters? Do you think the heavens have parted and Nathan has suddenly seen the light and become an ethical and honorable citizen of this state?
Crimony–don’t ya’ll pay attention? Nathan thinks everything is fine and on the up and up……
Paulding In The Know
November 4th, 2010
8:58 pm
Figures that there would be connections between the Richardson corrupt network and the Deal corrupt network . . .
Willis
November 4th, 2010
9:14 pm
If Sonny and Nathan were black instead of white, they would already be in the Federal pen.
Nancy Pelosi's Sister
November 4th, 2010
10:00 pm
LMS, td, Retired Soldier – WHAT? Buyer’s Remorse already? Say it ain’t so. No, no, no our dear Nathan would never do something like this!! It can’t be true!!! And he was so squeaky clean when we elected him two days ago!! LM(very shapely)AO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cutty
November 4th, 2010
10:12 pm
What up talkin bout, Willis!?!?
Lol. For someone with such horrible financial skills to become the governor of Georgia says it al about the IQ of republicans in this state. You want the state budget to be cut, but you elect someone who overspends to the point of near bankruptcy. Imagine what his credit score is. Nice job guys. Stay classy!
Jon
November 4th, 2010
10:49 pm
And we haven’t even made it to Day 1 yet! LOL.
Martin Williams
November 4th, 2010
11:07 pm
The people of Georgia are getting what they they voted for. A corrupt head of State leading a State full of corrupt people. Deal was about to be disgraced in Congress and he voted against the health care bill and resigned to run for Governor. How stupid can more than 50% of Georgians be. But then again, most of them are true republicans…less educated idiots.
Jimmy Deason
November 4th, 2010
11:16 pm
I found it curious when The Gainesville Times, Nathan Deal’s hometown newspaper, did not endorse Nathan for Governor. They must really know him.
insider
November 4th, 2010
11:25 pm
Go figure-another look at corruption within the Republican party. You just can’t make this stuff up….Can you say pathetic?!!!!
WAW
November 5th, 2010
12:09 am
Last Man: $50,000? He can’t afford Roy.
You (R)’s enjoy, this is what you wanted and this is what you’ve got.
Ron Williams
November 5th, 2010
12:22 am
Wow……And Deal has not even been sworn in yet ! What will we witness over the next 4 years. Unfortunately, All the citizens will reap what his moron supporters have sowed…
mike
November 5th, 2010
4:20 am
I guess the chickens are starting to come home. Hey you people voted for this and other like circumstances. Heck they have not started office yet.
Road Scholar
November 5th, 2010
7:08 am
If Dorothy is correct above, then Deal will need Watson to raise money for his bail/defense fund also.
BeamMeUp, Scottie
November 5th, 2010
7:44 am
Have the Feds actually taken a Governor out of his office in handcuffs? Wonder if the national news will cover it? Georgia makes the front page……again……for something really stupid! Makes you so proud.
Doc
November 5th, 2010
8:12 am
LiL Wayne and his fans are Republicans and Ga rednecks!! Reward the criminals!!
Marty
November 5th, 2010
8:16 am
Could we expect anything less from Nathan Deal?
Jessica
November 5th, 2010
8:19 am
This is just the BEGINNING of things to come from the Deal administration. But…stupid Georgians elected him so you get what you voted for or didn’t bother to vote against. Mark my words. The Deal inauguration will be followed by scandal after scandal after scandal. I just hope the AJC and other media outlets stay on top of the story. By the way, when will the Deal supporters start raising money for him to pay that huge debt he has coming due early next year or will we, the taxpayers of Georgia, have to pay for that too! Follow the money AJC!!
The Centrist
November 5th, 2010
8:25 am
You must be a true friend to help someone in legal trouble, regardless of their guilty or innocence or how politically awkward this gesture appears.
pete
November 5th, 2010
8:31 am
Benito Mussolini would be so proud right now that they breathed new life into the Fascist party, I bet he wishes he was alive to enjoy.
Doc
November 5th, 2010
8:32 am
Yep! Mrs. Micheal’s is going to prison for 8 years for an awkward gesture!