Tobacco giant to pay largest ethics fine in Georgia history

ATLANTA - Tobacco and food company Altria Group Inc. on Friday agreed to pay the largest ethics fine in Georgia history for failing to disclose more than $450,000 in state political contributions. <br> <br> The State Ethics Commission imposed the $50,000 civil fine after Altria admitted it had not filed required disclosure reports since 1998. The company changed its name from Philip Morris Cos. Inc. on Monday. <br> <br> The fine was more than three times greater than the next-largest fine levied by the commission in 2001. <br> <br> Altria and its subsidiaries - Philip Morris, Miller Brewing Co. and Kraft Foods North America Inc. - made more than 400 unreported donations, including $127,500 to the state Democratic Party, $140,000 to House and Senate Democratic caucuses and $37,500 to Gov. Roy Barnes. About $15,000 was given to Republican candidates. <br> <br> Two other companies were fined after admitting similar violations. Publix Supermarkets Inc. was fined $6,250, and General Electric Co. was fined $1,990. <br> <br> The commission&#39;s executive secretary, Teddy Lee, said all three companies blame the violations on personnel changes and the failure to inform new employees of state disclosure requirements. <br> <br> The commission found out about the contributions through the recipients&#39; campaign finance reports.