ATLANTA - Two elected Georgia regulators have proposed giving a $10,000 fine from a telephone company to an anti-abortion charity that the officials have connections to.
Under a settlement, Peerless Network of Georgia LLC will pay a $10,000 penalty for failing to file required reports. Civil penalties usually go to Georgia's state treasury.
Instead, Public Service Commissioner Doug Everett has asked that the money be given to the Atlanta branch of Care Net, a Christian charity that discourages women from having abortions. It offers ultrasounds, pregnancy tests and baby supplies. Everett says his wife is an unpaid volunteer there.
Attorney General Sam Olens said in a letter Wednesday that such an agreement would violate Georgia's constitution.
The commission hasn't yet voted on who will receive the money.