Former U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal, R-Ga., sought to extend a state program that profited his salvage business and earned about three times the amount income from the business allowed by ethics rules, according to a report released today.
According to a report by the Office of Congressional Ethics, Mr. Deal’s 2008 taxes show he earned at least $75,000 from the business which exceeded Congress’s limit of $25,000.
“It is undisputed that as a ‘public servant,’ Representative Deal took active steps to preserve a purely state program, one that had generated financial benefit for Representative Deal and his business partner,” the report states. “Further, while taking these steps, Representative Deal used resources of the House of Representatives.”
The board also mentions “inconsistencies” between the way Mr. Deal reported his income from the salvage operation on his personal taxes and a report to Congress.
Mr. Deal resigned from office shortly after the March 21 health care reform vote to run for governor. Because of his resignation, the Gainesville Republican cannot be punished for the violations, but the board decided to release the report anyway.
The investigation stemmed from allegations about Gainesville Salvage & Disposal, a business Mr. Deal and a partner own. The business is a regional vehicle salvage station that had been authorized by the state of Georgia to inspect damaged vehicles before they were sold or driven, according to the report.
The ethics complaint alleged that Mr. Deal sought to use his influence to preserve a state vehicle inspection program that “had generated significant personal financial benefit for him and a business partner.”
In 2008 and 2009, Rep. Deal and a member of his congressional staff contacted and met with Georgia state officials to discuss the potential state action on the vehicle inspection program, according to the report.
Mr. Deal, his chief of staff, and his business partner told investigators that “any contact with Georgia state officials on the vehicle inspection program concerned the safety of Georgia citizens,” the report states.