By Andy Ashurst
Times-Courier / Ellijay, GA
In a hearing on allegations Brian Pritchard, the vice chair of the state Republican Party, voted illegally, Pritchard said he did not feel he was violating the law when he signed up to vote in Gilmer County.
Senior Assistant Attorney General Russell Willard presented court documents from Pennsylvania which contradicted Pritchard. They showed Pritchard was under felony probation in Pennsylvania when he voted in nine Georgia elections from 2008 to 2011.
“This is somebody who chooses when they don’t want to understand something,” Willard said in his closing arguments. “He knew when he went in all nine times and signed that voter certificate he was voting illegally.”
Pritchard pleaded guilty in the Court of Common Pleas in Allegheny County to two counts of forgery-after writing and one count of theft by failure to make required disposition funds in 1996. He received probation, fines and was ordered to pay restitution.
Pritchard testified he pleaded “no contest” to forging two checks illegally for $58,000. He said he was working on a construction contract, and the checks were two-party checks.
He said restitution was made immediately.
Willard introduced documents from Pennsylvania showing the probation was extended in 1999. He showed subsequent documents from 2002, 2004 and 2011 which he said showed Pritchard was still under probation.
Pritchard testified he believed he was done with the felony conviction in 1999. He testified he had no knowledge of the 2002 and 2004 Pennsylvania court documents and did not appear in court. The documents read Pritchard appeared in court with counsel, but were not signed by Pritchard.
In 2011, Pritchard said he signed a form, but said he thought it was just to show he had appeared. He said it was just him and one other person in an office.
Willard said the page shows a probation revocation hearing.
Pritchard has said he has a pardon for the Pennsylvania crimes.
On Nov. 8, 2017, the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles issued a pardon restoring Pritchard’s civil and political rights. Those rights included serving on a jury and running for and holding political office.
Willard pointed out a Georgia pardon does not affect the Pennsylvania crimes or sentences.
In closing arguments, Willard asked Administrative Law Judge Lisa Boggs to impose a fine of $9,500, issue a cease-and-desist order and a public reprimand and to have Pritchard pay restitution for the costs of the investigation.
Boggs said she would issue a ruling within 30 days of receiving the transcript.
Currently, Pritchard is serving as the vice chair of the Georgia Republican Party and was a candidate for the State House District 7 won by Johnny Chastain.