GENERAL ASSEMBLY; Ethics Plan Asks More of Politicians Perdue Urges Stricter Rules

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Byline: Walter C. Jones, Times-Union staff writer

DOUGLASVILLE -- Donnie Henriques had little idea when friends asked the active civic volunteer and business manager to run for the Woodstock city council that he would be grilled for an hour by a government prosecutor over a $500 campaign contribution he forgot to report.

Henriques' experience Friday before the State Ethics Commission is common for state and local politicians facing complaints filed by political opponents and do-gooders over mostly technical violations.

The volume and magnitude of complaints could increase dramatically with the passage of stricter ethics rules proposed by Gov. Sonny Perdue and others.

Some members of the public believe tougher ethics rules are needed for politicians, but others …