Judge rules against GA Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in campaign finance lawsuit

A judge has ruled against Burt Jones and his special leadership committee that was previously fundraising unlimited amounts in race for GA governor.

Georgia gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson has been granted his first win after a judge issued a temporary restraining order against his opponent's leadership committee raising campaign funds.

Jackson's campaign filed a lawsuit against Lt. Gov. Burt Jones alleging his leadership committee, tied to his current role, allows him to fundraise unlimited contributions for his campaign while other candidates are limited by campaign finance law.

"A federal court today made clear that Burt Jones doesn't get his own rulebook," Jackson campaign spokesperson Dave Abrams said in a statement. "Burt's already used his office to enrich his family, so it won't be a surprise if he tried to use it to cling to power. If he pushes a new law to try and save himself, that's blatant abuse of power, and Georgians will hold him accountable."

The decision, issued by U.S. District Judge Thomas Thrash in the Northern District of Georgia, says WBJ Leadership Committee, Inc., has to cease raising or spending funds on Jones' campaign while the case moves forward in the courts. Campaign ads funded by the committee also need to be cancelled if paid for by Feb. 10, CBS News Atlanta reports.

Leadership committees are able to raise money year-round for general election-related activities and for candidates, but the chairperson of the committee must be the governor, lieutenant governor or party nominees for those offices. That means if someone is both holding office and running for office, they can use funds from the leadership committees for their own campaigns.