There are few things worse in a politicians life than the appearance of impropriety. It can be a killer for the campaign and potentially the career. Any campaigner worth their salt goes to great lengths to hide anything that may look untoward to the voter and journalists that keep those politicians in check. Unless, of course, you’re Ken Hodges.
Hodges, who served is Dougherty County District Attorney for 12 years, has run the gamut as far as impropriety goes. Starting out in public life as a reformer, he has since become more of a pariah for many in the southwest Georgia region. The accusations against Hodges are long and noted, but they only tip the iceberg.
First, Hodges goes to bat, using his public office to assist Phoebe Putney. Hodges tells Jim Galloway of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, “Yes, I did tell Phoebe Putney who was sending the faxes, just as I would tell any victim who the perpetrator of a crime was.” Sounds reasonable after all. Unfortunately, there was no crime. In fact, one of the so-called victims in the crime was Representative Sanford Bishop’s office who claims they never found the faxes to be “harassing” in any way. Hodges told Phoebe who was making life difficult for them.
Let’s put that aside for the moment, and the fact that Phoebe paid for all the records, something which is apparently a violation of law. What is worth noting is how three different entities, who seem to have so little to do with one another, seem to work in concert to cover up the alleged abuses committed by both Phoebe and Hodges.
Hodges left office early, after not seeking re-election, claiming that he was eager to return to private practice. After 12 years of public service, the explanation sounded plausible to many. After all, chief assistant Greg Edwards was the incoming District Attorney anyways, so it would simply speed up the transition. But where did Hodges land? He found himself at the Baudino Law Group, based out of Des Moines, Iowa. The Baudino group is a health care speciality law firm. One of their clients? Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital.
So, after conducting an investigation and leveling charges against two men who had committed no crime, Hodges lands a job with the law firm of the entity he launched the investigation for? Funny how that works, ain’t it. Not only that, but before Hodges left office, his wife who had worked at WALB took on a new position…at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital.
So now, there are ties with the Baudino Law Group, Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, and just tipping in is WALB. Now, WALB’s involvement sounds like mere coincidence after all, since Hodges’ wife left WALB. But, there’s a couple of other facts to keep in mind. Jim Wilcox, the general manager for WALB, claims that Phoebe hasn’t spent any advertising money with WALB for quite some time. This may be. But Hodges, on the other hand, has gotten nothing but good press from WALB.
Upon him leaving the District Attorney’s office, Hodges received a glowing tribute from WALB. This was in spite of not only the case involving Phoebe Factiods, but also the mandatory meeting in the DA’s office to hear Hodges’ personal pick for County Commission Chairman on the taxpayer’s dime, and in spite of the botched prosecution of Bill Scheer which cost the County millions and didn’t even render a conviction.
In addition, Wilcox’s wife Evelyn donated $500 to Hodges campaign. For most, a $500 donation is significant in it’s amount. This shows some form of link between Hodges and WALB…but nothing as direct as WALB’s cease and desist order against a film production company that produced the documentary “Do No Harm”, a documentary critical of Phoebe and Hodges in particular. The order quashed a scheduled screening in Atlanta this past week. While it sounds like WALB may indeed be in the right, the timing of the order seems suspect to many.
While Hodges is out campaigning, citing that he’s the only candidate for Attorney General who has prosecutorial experience, it’s important to note his web of support. And what a suspicious web it is. While everything appears legal, there’s still questions left to be answered.
This is probably the single most polarizing situation that I’m aware of. On one hand, you have a powerful, supposedly public institution that seems to have far-reaching, influential, at times, controversial tentacles. On the other, two men who felt they had information people needed to know about. Were there better ways to distribute that information? Probably. However, there is no doubt that their method AND their message unleashed a flurry of quesionable actions by the hospital and,their attorneys and investigators. The courts have already determined Mr. Rehberg was right and Phoebe was wrong. Unfortunately, the terms of that settlement remain confidential. I believe that to be, in and of itself, wrong. Phoebe is, supposedly, a public institution. The settlement should have been public. Everything up until then had been. Why not now? Anyway, I guess sides have already been chosen on this one.
One thing that’s bothered me about this is: where is Sanford Bishop in all of this? His phone records, as a member of the United States House of Representatives were subpeoned by Hodges/Phoebe and nothing, to my knowledge, has been done. Certainly, there are particular protocol and laws regarding records at that level. I’m not accusing, simply asking.
Most recently, there is the battle over “Do No Harm.” Now, I’m not generally a “shooter-on-the-grassy-knoll” sort, however, if Raycom and the producers of this film/documentary/movie/trash are somehow unable to amicably settle the copyright issue and the film gets tied-up in the courts…well then, I may very quickly become one.
What do you think?
ISaw: You’re right, this is a very polarizing situation that bears close scrutiny from the people of Albany. Charles Rehberg and Dr. Bagnato were exercising their freedom of speech, and nothing more. There is no way this should have escalated like it did. While working on this story, I have heard allegations against not just Phoebe but Ken Hodges that, if I can find evidence supporting them, would probably shock a large segment of the population.
As for Bishop’s phone records, I’m honestly not sure if there is anything special about the protocols and laws regarding those, but I actually doubt it since it was merely the local office and there were no accusations against the Congressman. However, under no circumstances can I imagine a scenario where it’s acceptable for those records to be turned over to another party when no actual crime had occurred.
Interestingly enough, given his cease and desist letter to Georgia Watch, Phoebe attorney Lin Wood made a $1,200 donation to Hodges’ campaign in June.
Georgia Watch report on Phoebe:
http://www.georgiawatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/gw-phoebe-putney-memorial-hospital.pdf
By the way, Tom, is there a way to find out how much Hodges has earned from Phoebe’s law firm since taking that job? I know the candidates have to file financial information, but I’m not certain income tax returns are included
I don’t believe that there is. Personal finances, so far as I know, aren’t disclosed. However, any personal money used in the campaign DOES have to be.
Jack,
I noticed Lin Wood’s political contribution as well.
If Thurbert Baker’s $150 contribution is an “endorsement”, then why hasn’t Ken bragged about the “super-endorsements” from Atlanta Lawyer, Lin Wood, who represents Phoebe ($1,200) and Phoebe Putney Mem. Hosp. CEO, Joel Wernick ($1,000)?
“Oh, what a tangled web we weave …”
What is truly needed is a federal investigation of all this mess. However, that won’t happen until Hodges and Phoebe have metastasized across the face of Georgia. By then it will be too late. Our poor state will be beyond any hope of recovery.
Where are all of the Phoebe apologists? You were out in force on the Herald website last week. Did Joel issue a cease and desist order to you guys as well?
Don’t worry…they’ll be here soon enough I’m sure.
Tom: I’m thinking a cease and desist order is the answer.
I believe that Bill O’Reilly needs to hear about what is happening in Southern Georgia….
ISaw: Tempting, but frankly it doesn’t matter to me
. There’s a lot of questions left to answer, and a lot of funny looking connections that raise even more questions.
Rude: I’d prefer Glenn Beck. He’s much more amusing to watch
And, we’ll get them answered!
Indeed we will.
The silence is deafening.
Oddly enough, it is. I know Phoebe knows what goes on with this blog, but perhaps they’re just laying low.
…or scripting the next chapter?
Maybe. Frankly, I don’t really care. I’m going to tell the truth no matter what they try.
One might wonder why “Ken Hodges a candidate for Georgia Attorney General” would take the Bar in a Northeastern State, in very recent past???
Think about JFK Jr. a while longer!
Maybe Phoebe decided to invest millions of dollars in cloning like it does other off-the-wall programs, like $8 million a year for legal fees.
And it went bad! Ha, ha.
You know, I can’t rule that one out