Democrat Stacey Abrams' group is investigating itself in an attempt to quell questions about payments to director's friends and family

Fair Fight PAC, a political action group founded by Stacey Abrams, the Democrat running against Gov. Brian Kemp (R) in Georgia's gubernatorial race, has come under intense scrutiny after it was revealed the relatively inexperienced friends and family of its director were getting significant paydays while maintaining other full-time jobs.

On Friday, in response to a critical Fox News Digital report, Fair Fight PAC issued a statement, noting that on October 13, the organization "became aware that PAC funds may have been incorrectly paid to consultants."

"Fair Fight strives to serve with the utmost integrity, as is core to our values. We take these matters seriously and have initiated a comprehensive investigation," the statement added.

Abrams founded Fair Fight PAC in 2019 after she lost the Georgia gubernatorial election the previous year, the result of which she has repeatedly called into doubt. The PAC is an offshoot of Fair Fight Action. Its stated aim is to promote "equitable elections" in the state.

Axios touted it as the "strongest Democratic lobbying force at the Capitol when it comes to voting policy."

It's all about who you know

Those close to André Fields, Fair Fight PAC's political director and longtime Abrams aide, have received considerable sums in recent years despite their ostensible inexperience.

Citing Federal Election Commission records, Fox News Digital reported that Fair Fight disbursed over $120,000 to Darius Faulk, Fields' sister, for training services since August 2021. Faulk reportedly has virtually no political experience, having worked as the director of operations and recently as assistant coach for Hofstra University's women's basketball program.

In a December 12, 2019, Voyage Atlanta interview, Fields named a number of close friends, two of whom, namely Asa Fludd and Cruz Alvarado, have both received tens of thousands of dollars from Fair Fight PAC.

Fludd received $29,800 in training consulting payments from the PAC since 2021. Alvarado collected $29,000. Neither have a background in politics. The former has worked in computer systems training and the latter in the event industry.

While Fox News Digital indicated the amount paid by the PAC to these three individuals was over $178,000, CNN's review of the FEC filings from this and the previous election cycles suggest the figure may be closer to $250,000.

According to Open Secrets, in the 2021-2022 election cycle, Fair Fight raised $24.4 million and spent $43.5 million.

Backlash

On October 14, Republican Gov. Brian Kemp tweeted: "Stacey Abrams' group is using hundreds of thousands in political donations to make sure her friends are taken care of while families struggle with 40-year-high inflation."

Kemp's press secretary Tate Mitchell stated on Friday that "After facing a resounding defeat in court over false claims of voter suppression that Stacey Abrams used to deny the results of the 2018 election, Abrams' favorite slush fund has been caught red-handed funneling hundreds of thousands in salary to family and friends who have no connection to the organization’s stated purpose."

Mitchell's mention of Abrams' "resounding defeat in court" was a reference to Fair Fight Action's lawsuit, which alleged Georgia had "grossly mismanaged" the election. On September 30, U.S. District Judge Steve Jones in Atlanta rejected that lawsuit, stating that "the challenged practices violate neither the constitution nor the [Voting Rights Act of 1965]."

Mitchell added: "While hardworking Georgians struggle to make ends meet thanks to the Democrat-created economic crisis, Abrams is using her political groups and the millions at their disposal to line the pockets of her pals."

These questionable payments will likely be raised on Monday, when Kemp and Abrams take the stage for their first televised debate of the election at the Atlanta Press Club.

Mitchell has intimated that among the achievements Kemp may highlight in the debate will be how he "refunded over $1 billion to Georgia taxpayers, signed the largest state income tax cut in Georgia history, and suspended the state's gas tax to provide economic relief to Georgians facing 40-year-high inflation and skyrocketing gas prices under the Biden administration."

AZ Central indicated Abrams will likely discuss her plans to address Georgia's housing crisis, her affinity for abortion, and her opposition to constitutional carry.

An October 10/11 poll from the Trafalgar Group puts Kemp 9 points ahead of Abrams. The Hill/Emerson poll has Abrams trailing by 5 points.