Millsaps Elected Chairman of State Ethics Panel, Belinfante Chosen as Vice Chairman

The Georgia State Ethics Commission on Thursday unanimously elected Patrick Millsaps as its chairman and Josh Belinfante as its vice chairman.

Both lawyers, Millsaps and Belinfante were appointed to the commission by Gov. Sonny Perdue. Belinfante served as Perdue’s chief legal adviser.

An ethics watchdog, the five-member commission enforces certain laws through investigations and hearings and can assess civil penalties and suspend or revoke lobbyists’ privileges.

The governor appoints three members to the panel. The state Senate Committee on Assignments appoints a fourth member and the speaker of the state House of Representatives appoints the fifth.