Fox 5 banned from Nathan Deal immigration bill signing
Fox 5/WAGA-TV’s Justin Gray was blocked by state troopers from a public immigration bill signing held today by Gov. Nathan Deal at the Gold Dome. Why? Deal’s press office was angry about an unrelated, unflattering story Dale Russell had done the night before about Deal.
VIDEO: Governor Deal’s Office Bans FOX 5 Reporter from Immigration Bill Signing: MyFoxATLANTA.com
Below is the story that upset Deal’s office. The campaign had paid $90,000 to a fund-raising company the I-Team had never heard of called Southern Magnolia Capital. Russell discovered that company was connected to Deal’s daughter in law Denise Deal. Phil Wilheit, identified in the story as Deal’s campaign manager, told Russell the transaction was “transparent” but Russell said the firm has no website or any obvious public information or direct link to Deal’s name.
Fox 5 news director Mike McClain sent a statement today at about 5:30 p.m. to me: “FOX 5 Atlanta stands by our I-Team investigation and Reporter Dale Russell. The barring of FOX 5 cameras from the bill signing today was unacceptable and obviously an emotional reaction to our I-Team investigation. We’ve voiced out concerns to the Governor’s Office and hope that they will reconsider that decision.”
Deal’s spokesman Brian Robinson, when I called him, was still hot under the collar. He said the campaign never hid the fact Denise Deal ran the governor’s fund-raising campaign and having a family member do so is not illegal. He challenged me to Google the name “Southern Magnolia Capitol.” There was one site that immediately came up with her name attached to it: the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. (It was added, however, on May 10, just days before the report aired, so when Russell was first working on the piece, indeed, there was no sign of Deal’s connection with Southern Magnolia online.) He said she was compensated at a market rate. A P.O. box number Fox 5 identified as connected to Southern Magnolia was a clerical error, not a way to hide anything, he noted.
The person identified as campaign manager in the story Wilheit was the chairman, Robinson said, not the campaign manager, and he didn’t know all the details Fox 5 had showed him. Robinson thought they had “ambushed” him. The governor chose not to talk to Fox 5 about it because he didn’t want to be ambushed either, Robinson said.
He said the reason they blocked Gray was not anything Gray did but the fact the station did “a shoddy piece of journalism in which they should be embarrassed.” He is demanding an apology. He felt this was one way to punish Fox 5 because “we don’t have a TV station. We don’t have the power of the airwaves.”
Ironically, he said Deal has developed a good relationship with Fox 5 before this, noting the governor has has appeared on “Good Day Atlanta” since coming into office. “We’ve given them incredible access,” Robinson said. “That’s why this was so particularly upsetting to us.”
He said the story has “lots of innuendo but no context and very little facts.”
Judge for yourself:
I-Team: Gov. Deal Campaign Funds: MyFoxATLANTA.com
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By Rodney Ho, rho@ajc.com, AJCRadioTV blog
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263 comments Add your comment
More Shaddy Deals to come
May 14th, 2011
12:51 am
This is just the start of things to come……
BJ
May 14th, 2011
12:53 am
Did someone actually say “honorable Governor Nathan Deal?” I think the ethics violations during his term in Congress have already sent that ship sailing. He could well be a fine Governor, but “honorable” is no longer a possibility.
Smarty
May 14th, 2011
1:12 am
Sad day for Georgia. Not only are we going to pay in the courts and who gets rich off that??? attorneys with ALWAYS questionable billing hours. Come on now with Google, etc. MOST of can read the law ourselves. We will also have backlash from businesses big time. Now on the other side we all know no one will really wants do these jobs except mostly the latino people. BUT they need to pay the taxes AS well as companies too. They too have had a free ride of skating taxes. Now putting them in jail for 15 years. That’s more taxpayers money. Brilliant. We have some really dumb folks that are running our state.
BJ
May 14th, 2011
1:16 am
Who knew? Nathan Deal believes that the government is better equipped than private business to handle tasks that he considers vital to Georgian’s safety. It’s right here in the Congressional Report. Who will be the first from the Tea Party to scream “Socialist!”? Here is the quote from the report… “Representative Deal and his business partner maintain that although it was not in their financial interest to do so, at the third meeting they expressed to the Revenue Commissioner that the pro-
gram should not be changed. They argued that any inspection should be conducted by state-employed and authorized inspectors to ensure the safety of drivers on Georgia roads. Representative Deal and his business partner stated that state inspectors are often former body shop workers or law enforcement personnel who have experience with vehicle safety specifications. They explained that they were concerned that inexperienced, private inspectors would
jeopardize vehicle safety.
37. The Revenue Commissioner stated that the vehicle inspection program never covered the safety of vehicles. He stated that the state inspectors’ only role was to grant title to salvaged cars; thus,
their position was named ‘‘Salvage Title Inspectors.’’ These ‘‘Salvage Title Inspectors’’ examined the title of the vehicle, with a limited examination of the physical vehicle itself, to make proper title
assessments
paidinfull
May 14th, 2011
1:35 am
Morons voted for him, but don’t kid yourself, he was bought and paid for by the rich so they could get richer and he could get out of trouble. He didn’t really get elected, He got bought and placed in office just like Sonny did. I mean really, who would vote for somebody who did have a “real” name, and all they could come up with was Sonny???
power corrupts
May 14th, 2011
1:52 am
the governor of georgia can order the state patrol to use their police power to prevent a news agency from attending an official ceremony because the governor didn’t like the tone of the article? Is this nazi Germany? Will the news organization be sanctioned and reporters arrested?
Jimmie
May 14th, 2011
1:57 am
And this does not bother anyone? I remember the time this would cause an outrage. How can this state allow a governor to act in this manner? If someone provides a report into his personal dealings which is not liked by the governor, then the governor can ban that particular press organization from covering historic moments…and this is not causing an outrage from the Georgia citizens???
luangtom
May 14th, 2011
2:19 am
Interesting read here. I never saw such demands for “transparency” when the news concerned the past administration of the mayor’s office in Atlanta. Where was the outcry for “transparency” when the immediate past mayor was in office? Where did those millions of advertising funds from the airport that never got collected go? Where did the missing budgetary funds finally get sorted out to? We have seen none of these questions answered during or after the reign of the former mayor in Atlanta. Why not? Why is no one seeking to find those funds from over-charges in water-bills and other assorted funds collected? You want “transparency” in state government? How about some in local government, too? Get this avid reporter on it immediately……
leigh
May 14th, 2011
2:22 am
Whatever Deal does to the state of Georgia we deserve it. He was a crook going in and he will be a crook on his way out. Expect more of the same shady behavior from the Klan snake. I guess all of his bankruptcy debt mysteriously disappeared. Hmmm.
Governor Deal, do what you do with the racist, southerners who thought you were the best choice.
oldman
May 14th, 2011
2:24 am
Watching Fox5 for anything is like watching the Gwinnett Braves instead of the BIG Braves
annie
May 14th, 2011
2:36 am
To all who voted for Deal, don’t complain now…………unfortunatley, you’ll have to wait four more years.
Kris In Loganvillea
May 14th, 2011
3:16 am
The writing was on the wall: Deal was corrupt from the very beginning. He even resigned from Congress in shame.
Disgraceful.
Allen
May 14th, 2011
3:33 am
Looked like a pretty good investigative piece to me. Did no appear all that “transparent” to me. Can we be surprised? We knew the Deals were in financial difficulty when he got elected Governor. If it looks like a duck; walks like a duck; quacks like a duck . . .
DanDeacon
May 14th, 2011
5:49 am
Just like Barack has been banning Hannity and many Fox reporters, so can Governor Deal ban reporters when he chooses. The difference is that Hannity and many Fox reporters are reporting the facts, unlike Dale Russells story. Those of you against this should be on a story about Barack doing it, not this story. You people are like the kettle calling the pot black.
Republicans rule and don’t forget it. The mess the Democrats have made is in the process of being straightened out. They’ve been so irresponsible that it will take years. So, stand by and do nothing like you’ve always done while responsible men act like men and gets the job done. But go ahead and get your BarackHandout while they’re still available because I can assure you that your handout programs are going away quickly. First initiative…..Illegal immigration bill – “Round em up, move em out.” That would probably save us around $65 million alone in our state and create 400,000 jobs. Imagine what it would do for our entire country while Barack sits around and does nothing for our country about illegal immigration. Can’t wait for the 2012 election to help Barack and his cronies find another residence.
The Truth Will Set US Free!
May 14th, 2011
6:04 am
My family and I watched Dale Russell’s report last night and were deeply disturbed by what we saw.
Mr. Deal, by denying Mr. Gray access to a public meeting was in clear violation of the Georgia Open Meetings Act, which states:
“…The public at all times shall be afforded access to meetings declared open to the public pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section. Visual, sound, and visual and sound recording during open meetings shall be permitted….”
http://www.gfaf.org/open_meetings.html
If Mr. Deal had nothing to hide, then he would not have had to retaliate against this (or any other) news media outlet by using law enforcement to bar their access to a public meeting.
When all is said and done, it is hoped that Mr. Russell and his investigative team of reporters will garner (at least) an Emmy nomination for
uncovering the REAL truth as to why they were
barred from this meeting…and those responsible
are held fully accountable for their actions.
Kidd Huff
May 14th, 2011
6:05 am
In the tune of a State Farm Insurance commercial:
And like a “Good DEAL,”
Nathan’s always there!
phil
May 14th, 2011
6:17 am
The woman who recieved the money is the wife of the son he said was a low life for letting Barnes present a case in his court. Thaat would be the son appointed by Barnes. Stranger and stranger.
Tired of it All
May 14th, 2011
6:17 am
Deeper still why is the Gov spending this exorbitant amount on a party when he has teachers in this state losing jobs, taking cuts in pay, and being robbed of money already paid of them due to state money being cut. Put that jerk in the State capital building in the same dumpster the superintendent of Clayton County Schools is in. You know the lying, money stealing, I am in it for me AH we keep putting in office, allowing dumb a$$ school boards to hire, and voters to elect.
Mike
May 14th, 2011
6:30 am
Shame on Gov Deal. I thought he was a better man than that. What a concept. I don’t like the news so I will ban those media outlets I don’t like. Come on Gov Deal. Take the high road.
Winfield J. Abbe
May 14th, 2011
6:47 am
Mr. Russell: How about now doing an investigative report on how the new Governor personally chose the new Chancellor of the University System of Georgia? How much tax money was wasted on the search company? Funny, isn’ t it, the most qualified person in the world was a crony and good old boy right under their noses all the time? Georgia has returned to its Talmadge roots at the bottom of the cesspool. The leaders of Georgia love the armed force of government to keep their secrets from the brainwashed public and keep rude reporters out of the loop. They learned well from Nazi, Germany and the former Soviet Union.
DebDoes
May 14th, 2011
7:05 am
Wow, the ‘Deal Mafia’ at work! I didn’t think it would take much time before his true colors were revealed….and now it see them! If anyone out there thinks he’s not going to protect his family, you are delusional! Remember the money he invested in his daughter and son in law’s defunct business? Obviously some of you did, because you elected him in the midst of bank defaults and near foreclosure on his homes(s). So, what’s next? Channel 11 reports ‘the news’ about another questionable Deal action, and they can’t show up at the Capitol to report what’s going on there? Does he really have that kind of power???
elainer7
May 14th, 2011
7:07 am
Hey booberry, I bet you voted for Obama didnt you? I also bet that you dont think he is as crooked as they come…
DebDoes
May 14th, 2011
7:09 am
and Mr Deacon? This has nothing to do with Obama, race, etc…..I know an adult with ADD has trouble staying focused and keeping on the subject, but please try. Now, say it with me, ‘it’s about Deal, it’s about Deal, it’s about Deal…
Snidely Whiplash
May 14th, 2011
7:10 am
What a hoot. Folks out here calling the people that voted for Deal morons. The majority made the right choice and took the less of two evils. They would have been bigger morons had they voted for his proven, tried and true crooked DEM ‘has been’ opposition.
Steve
May 14th, 2011
7:26 am
So a Republican govenor shuts out Fox5 (Right leaning station) because he didn’t like their journalism? Typical paranoid way of DEAL-ING with people. Take note next election because there are many more just like him trying to tell you how to live, talk, and act. Waiting for slimy Newt and No Clue Cain to weigh in. Birds of a feather!!
GET OUT!
May 14th, 2011
7:28 am
We knew Deal was unethical when he was elected.
This is nothing new.
fairness for all
May 14th, 2011
7:31 am
The state’s business and the governor of the state’s business should be an open book while he’s in office. Particularly any dealings with his family should be disclosed. To ban a news organization simply makes their point of view look correct—better just to issue a clear and simple statement that corrects any misstatements in the news article. I’m sure all the other media outlets would be glad to publish that for the Governor. If this continues then the nickname Shady Deal should stick. He ran for governor so he should be willing to have his affairs be an open book. All Government needs more sunshine not less.
Dick Tracy
May 14th, 2011
7:35 am
Deal got caught with his pants on the ground. Fox 5 did not do a shoddy piece of journalism….they merely reported the facts. Deal was funneling money to his family but tried to hide it with a fake company. I am a Republican and I hate **** like this……….from either party. Just goes to prove my theory that MOST POLITICIANS ARE DISHONEST AT HEART especially those in Washington. Almost as bad as lawyers!!!
Louise
May 14th, 2011
8:00 am
All Fox stations are owned by an Australian…Rupert Murdock…who came to this country simply to get a leg up on Ted Turner. He’s not a favorite son nor is he unbiased. He is slowly buying up as much media as he can in order to get his opinions out to the public. I’m really sorry some of the better journalists have elected to work for him. He’s definitely on the side of the republicans and is not a true journalist. Don’t put your eggs in his basket. He’s here to take us all down his path.
melanie
May 14th, 2011
8:09 am
I am just happy that Deal signed the immigration bill….now companies are going to help accountable for hiring illegals & taking good paying jobs away from Americans who pay taxes & would love to pay taxes because they are working…we need to clean up the illegal crap we have here; tired of seeing them standing on the corner with their cell phones waiting for some contractor to pick them up & pay them a few hundred dollars Cash so they can go home to their multi -family complexes go shopping with food stamps & buy better food than I can..so Thank you Gov. Deal for having the stance & signing this bill into law. Who the hell cares if they blocked Fox 5 from the signing…I mean really?
deegee
May 14th, 2011
8:11 am
Feel good about the fact that the hillbilly Deal family is headed off on a two week European vacation on your dime. That stinking coward waited until the day before his vacation to sign the HB87 bill. Then he bars a news outlet from attending the ceremony out of spite. I hope Fox 5 runs the Denise Deal story every day, three times a day for the next two weeks while Nathan Steal is in Europe. In fact, I’ll be watching Fox 5 News exclusively from now on.
Steveh
May 14th, 2011
8:13 am
Good journalism or bad, let the public make their own determination. But blocking the media from a public event, by force, using state troopers, sets a very bad precedent. I hope this isn’t a sign of more to come from our gov. and his staff.
deegee
May 14th, 2011
8:18 am
I hope that more of Nathan Steal’s crooked dealings come to the light. Now that he has actually made good on a campaign promise thereby ticking off a few business groups, I imagine that some well placed sources will start exposing this career crooked politician. Payback is a beeotch.
Corey
May 14th, 2011
8:38 am
I did not vote for Mr. Deal, but so far his performance in office has not bothered me. Having said that, people on here defending what happend between the media and state troopers who are an extension of state government is glaring state controlled media. You simply cannot spin it any other way. It was also petty. The office of governor should symbolize dignity and should not bar the media out petty, personal spite.
Voice of Reason
May 14th, 2011
8:49 am
Well, the majority of Georgia voters are getting exactly what they voted for–Leaders who are more concerned about getting access to their money to fill their personal bank accounts instead of making decisions to improve the quality of life to all. Was this legal? Was this ethical?
JoAnn
May 14th, 2011
8:55 am
If the story that was reported was false, would that be the first time something untrue was written about Gov. Deal?. Looks like like they struck a nerve. Now he and his dealings with his daughter’s company(?) really looks shady.
baby
May 14th, 2011
8:56 am
People on both sides need to stop looking at politicians as they are saints, and will conduct themselves as such. If a politician is giving his family business, from his campaign or state money, PEOPLE SHOULD CARE. Why do you prefer not to be informed?
Politicians are PUBLIC SERVANTS and need to be held accountable for how they make money, raise money, and where it is going, WHILE THEY ARE IN OFFICE!
Trying to block the press from covering state business, for purposes of revenge, is unacceptable.
I guess freedom of the press is not important to the posters here.
kbb
May 14th, 2011
9:07 am
Well all the hillbillies and rednecks voted for Deal just because he was a Repub. If they would have did their research (oops that requires reading) they would have seen how corrupt and bankrupt (morally and financially) he really is. Georgia doesn’t seem to care about being a forward thinking state. They only seem to care about UGA football and voting for whatever backwater yokel runs on the Republican side of the ticket. Wake me up whenever GA voters start doing whats best for GA instead of thinking like Bo and Luke Duke all of the time. You guys deserve the raw Deal your about to get.
Who_cares_Who_I_Am?
May 14th, 2011
9:07 am
This state elected one of the 15 most crooked congressmen…how can ANYONE be surprised at ANY of this.
Morris
May 14th, 2011
9:10 am
Deal is not doing anything new.Everybody knew he was a crook they elected him.And every time he gets caught.Oh it was an oversite.
SamIAm
May 14th, 2011
9:10 am
Makes me want to puke every time I hear Deal open his mouth to answer a question about anything. And will his stupid family ever be able to make it on their own without him having to bail them out. He’s a bigger idiot than his dumbarse relatives.
As far as Fox5 goes – give me a break. Go look for a real story and act like professionals instead of immulating lib-killer hacks.
DealSUXANYWAYS
May 14th, 2011
9:10 am
Sounds like a childish way to react to the situation to me…Doesn’t Deal have a history of stuff like this? The state of Georgia is a world of hurt becuase of this bill…
NoMoreKoolaid
May 14th, 2011
9:20 am
Two things appear to be true. First, Nathan Deal IS a crook and may have earned the nickname Nazi Deal for his hamhanded attempt to control the media.
Second, Fox News isn’t much better at the local level than at the national level. Sensationalist, half the facts, and their own slant on things.
Now the clincher – Politics and government is much more than ‘what’s good for business.’ It is about what is good for all citizens. Not just the governor and cronies.
PS He’s going to Europe because now is a good time to visit. School crowds aren’t there yet. Bogus junket.
n
May 14th, 2011
9:27 am
Wow, I am most bothered by the fact that the state troopers would do that just because a politician is unhappy with a story. Whats next?
He's full of hatred
May 14th, 2011
9:39 am
I guess he figured if he’s already banning everyone who isn’t white from living in Georgia, he’ll start going for the media too unless they start writing about how he’s our god. What an idiot. How do we impeach a governor again?
Victor 2.0
May 14th, 2011
9:41 am
Victor Hill did the same thing repeatedly in Clayton… and here I thought I’d finally escape that moronic behavior.
deegee
May 14th, 2011
9:42 am
I hope Fox 5 pounces on the Deal expense report for his European vacation if/when it is filed. I’m sure that we will have to endure at least 3 iterations of the report before we get something that approaches acceptable.
Lurkinator
May 14th, 2011
9:50 am
I’m surprised FOX did an unflattering story on *any* Republican. Isn’t that against their mission and values or something? “Fair and balanced (but only regarding the GOP).”
It makes me happy to see how many other readers recognize the man is totally crooked – I live in his hometown and people here just fawn over him. Wake up, people!!
chiu
May 14th, 2011
9:53 am
He already acted like King Gov. Nathan Deal. Very poor sport’s man.
SteveSwimmer
May 14th, 2011
9:54 am
From two clicks left of Democrat: This is most amusing. Watching two extreme right-wingers slice each other up over a few left over crumbs; well, for me this is great fun. Please keep on slicing.