Gwinnett DA Porter Sued By Democratic Rival For Libel, Slander

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA — The Democratic challenger to Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter has sued him for libel and slander for comments he made after filing an ethics complaint against her.

Patsy Austin-Gatson filed suit Monday in Gwinnett Superior Court in response to TV interviews and a public statement Porter gave after the complaint, according to The Gwinnett Daily Post.

“Through such conduct, Defendant (Porter) has acted maliciously and with reckless disregard for the truth, as his statements are made without personal knowledge of any of the matters alleged and the allegations have yet to be addressed by the Commission,” the lawsuit states.

The feud started last week when longtime DA Porter complained to the State Ethics Commission that Austin-Gaston, her husband Travis and former sheriff candidate Curtis Clemons had broken the law by using county time and resources to campaign.

All three work for Gwinnett County Solicitor General Brian Whiteside. They deny all allegations.

Porter followed his complaint with a news release from his campaign decrying Austin-Gaston’s actions, saying that she had “possibly” committed “criminal acts.”

“It is never acceptable to campaign on taxpayer’s time, while using taxpayer-funded government equipment, and pressuring your subordinates into campaigning for you,” Porter said in the release.

Using government resources to campaign is illegal in Georgia.

“He’s making so many allegations, just trying to sully my name, and I think he’s just seen the handwriting on the wall,” Austin-Gatson said then to The Gwinnett Daily Post. “The people want change.”

Porter will be running on Nov. 3 for what he’s said is his final term as Gwinnett County’s district attorney.

OTHER NEWS:

• Nurse Questions Operations, Care At GA Immigration Jail
• Coronavirus Kills Georgia College President, Funeral Wednesday