Stacey Abrams calls ethics commission subpoena into campaign a 'political stunt'

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams is speaking for the first time about the state ethics commission plan to subpoena bank records surrounding her campaign.

Channel 2 political reporter Richard Elliot sat down one-on-one with Abrams in an interview Tuesday afternoon, where no questions were off the table.

Abrams spoke for the first time about the planned ethics commission subpoena into her campaign finances.

The former gubernatorial candidate told Elliot that the subpoena is not needed and said she’ll cooperate fully with any investigation.

“This was a political stunt. It’s not something I’ve seen anyone do by either party,” Abrams said.

Abrams told Elliot that her campaign did nothing wrong and she will gladly cooperate with any investigation by the new state ethics commissioner.

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New state ethics director David Emadi announced last week that he would subpoena bank records surrounding Abram’s gubernatorial campaign and other groups that supported her run.

Abrams told Elliot that she still hasn’t seen any subpoena and that she would cooperate without one.

She also blamed the governor’s office for using the ethics office to attack a political opponent.

“If there’s information they want, we are open to receiving that request and complying with it. A subpoena isn’t necessary and to be clear, no subpoena has been issued,” Abrams said.

She also talked about the recent passage of the controversial Heartbeat Bill, which would essentially ban abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.

Gov. Brian Kemp has said he will sign it into law. Abrams believes it will only hurt Georgia in the long run.

“It is being used as a political weapon against women, and I think it’s bad not only for the people of Georgia, the women of Georgia, it’s bad for business in Georgia,” Abrams said.

Abrams said she does plan to run for office in the future, including the possibility of running against Sen. David Perdue in 2020. She has yet to announce any plans officially.

Cox Media Group