Georgia organization to regroup after losing former leader to prison

A statewide organization is looking for a fresh start after losing its former president to prison this week.

The Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials will hold an emergency board of directors meeting in Macon this weekend to determine its next steps after former GABEO president Tyrone Brooks, an Atlanta state representative, was sentenced to prison Monday.

Even with the impending changes, the organization will remain an important agency for supporting civil rights issues and elected officials, said Elaine Lucas, the interim GABEO president and a Macon-Bibb County commissioner.

"We always want to be in the position to address voting rights that are under attack and women's rights, the rights of children and the elderly," Lucas said at a news conference Tuesday.

Brooks was sentenced Monday to 12 months and one day in federal prison after being convicted of mail, tax and wire fraud. The longtime civil rights activist was accused of using more than $1 million in donations to GABEO and another organization for personal expenses, according to The Associated Press.

A nomination committee, led by state Rep. Al Williams, D-Midway, will come up with names for new officers that will be voted on by GABEO members. There also will be an examination of GABEO bylaws and more stringent bookkeeping measures, Lucas said.

"We know we have to regain the confidence of citizens and regain the confidence of elected officials," she said.

It will be difficult to find someone with the energy and passion required to serve as president, but the members will find someone capable of taking on that responsibility, she added.

GABEO was founded in the 1970s as a way to support new elected officials and provide networking opportunities, Lucas said.

"This is so unfortunate because Rep. Brooks has almost a 50-year history, a legacy of civil rights work," she said.

To contact writer Stanley Dunlap, call 744-4623 or find him on Twitter

This story was originally published November 10, 2015 at 6:27 PM.