Candidates for Georgia lieutenant governor who previously held public office are facing renewed scrutiny over whether they used taxpayer‑funded settlements to resolve sexual harassment claims while serving in government.
All candidates deny that they have been involved in any sexual harassment scandals, especially while in office, and are even willing to provide documentation if it is truly desired.
But that isn’t stopping the push for more information.
“Georgians deserve leaders with integrity, not politicians hiding behind legal agreements and backroom deals,” state Rep. David Clark, who is running for the post, said last week.
The attention follows newly filed open‑records requests seeking documents related to harassment complaints or monetary settlements, as well as passage of the so‑called Epstein Amendment during Georgia’s most recent legislative session.
The amendment allows public access to settlement or non‑disclosure agreements involving General Assembly members accused of sexual harassment, discriminatory harassment, discrimination, or retaliation.
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Whether any records are ultimately released could carry major implications for the May 19 Republican primary, which will determine which candidate advances to face the Democrat nominee in the Nov. 3 general election.
“They know what’s out there, and the public has a right to know,” said Drew Ashby, a Cobb County attorney who filed one of the records requests this week. “We just want Georgia citizens to know the whole truth before they elect someone to fill one of the highest offices in our state.”
Ashby and Scot Turner, a lobbyist and former Republican state lawmaker, separately filed requests seeking records related to state Rep. David Clark, state Sen. Greg Dolezal, state Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch, former state Sen. John F. Kennedy, and state Sen. Blake Tillery—all candidates for lieutenant governor.
Turner’s request seeks records of “any sexual harassment complaint, allegation, investigation, settlement, payment, personnel action or Human Resources file material” involving the five candidates.
Ashby’s request is more narrowly focused. It names two candidates and seeks records alleging “sexually predatory behavior,” “sexual abuse,” “sexual harassment,” or “sexual impropriety of any kind.” Ashby is also seeking documents showing whether any claims were resolved through monetary settlements and names two individuals he alleges were paid as part of such agreements. He said he communicated those names directly to the office of Georgia Senate Pro Tem Larry Walker III.
Walker’s office did not respond to questions about whether such records exist or whether they would be released.
“I hope they produce the documents,” Ashby said. “But if they don’t, or if they try to deny that they exist, then we are prepared to take this fight as far as necessary. I don’t want to have to file a lawsuit, but I will.”
Turner said his request is aimed at dispelling long‑circulating rumors rather than confirming wrongdoing.
“I think this has been the source of rumors that are unhealthy,” Turner said. “There’s a huge value to eliminating any whispers so Republicans aren’t damaged by a rumor campaign in the general election. But if there is anything there, it will all be released.”
Each of the candidates has denied being involved in harassment complaints or settlements.
Gooch urged his fellow candidates to authorize disclosure quickly, saying voters should not have to “wait on the Epstein Amendment” to learn whether any records exist.
Dolezal said the requests should yield no documents related to him.
“No,” he said when asked whether any such records exist. “As a legislator, I spent my time focused on passing school choice, the Riley Gaines Act, and standing with President [Donald] Trump against Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.”
A spokesperson for Kennedy, who served in the Senate from 2015 to 2025, also said no records exist related to him.
“The answer is an unequivocal ‘no,’” the spokesperson said. “There are no such claims, complaints, allegations, or settlements.”
Despite the denials, the outcome may ultimately hinge on whether Gov. Brian Kemp signs the Epstein Amendment into law.
Named after disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, the provision was added to House Bill 1247 and House Bill 1409, both of which passed on the final day of the legislative session.
Kemp’s office declined to comment on whether the governor intends to sign or veto the legislation.
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