Former Georgia ethics commission director Stacey Kalberman has been nominated to become DeKalb County's first full-time chief ethics officer, the DeKalb Board of Ethics announced Monday.
Kalberman, who won a lawsuit alleging Gov. Nathan Deal forced her from her job, will be responsible for fielding complaints about misbehavior and training government employees – if her appointment is approved.
The DeKalb Board of Ethics on Thursday unanimously chose Kalberman, whose nomination is subject to confirmation by the DeKalb Commission and Interim DeKalb CEO Lee May, according to House Bill 597, which passed last year.
“Because of the urgent need for the board to begin its important work, we are seeking their immediate approval of this appointment,” said Board of Ethics Chairman Larry Schall. “Ms. Kalberman brings to the Board of Ethics an extraordinary record of experience and service.”
The ethics officer is a new position included as part of DeKalb's ethics overhaul that 92 percent of voters approved in November.
Once the ethics officer is in place, the DeKalb Board of Ethics will resume considering ethics complaints that are pending against government officials.
The state agreed to pay Kalberman and her attorneys a $1.15 million settlement in 2014 after a jury's verdict in her favor. Kalberman claimed she was removed from her job for investigating Deal's 2010 campaign for governor.
Kalberman is a longtime DeKalb resident who previously served as counsel for AIG; senior associate for Powell, Goldstein, Frazier and Murphy; and of counsel at Morris, Manning and Martin.
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