DOT board slaps Abraham with reprimand

The State Transportation Board voted Monday to issue a written reprimand to agency Commissioner Gena Abraham for failing to inform board members that she was developing a personal relationship with then-board Chairman Mike Evans.

The 8-3 decision culminated a controversy that began last Thursday when Evans, a developer from Cumming, suddenly announced that he was resigning from the board because he and Abraham -- the first female commissioner in the Department of Transportation's history -- wished to pursue a personal relationship.

DOT policy forbids agency employees from becoming involved romantically with anyone in a supervisory position over them. As commissioner, Abraham reports directly to the board.

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"I think the commissioner followed the policy of the board," acting board Chairman Bill Kuhlke of Augusta said after Monday's vote, which followed a three-hour executive session. "The thing she didn't do was get back to the board in a timely manner."

Evans said last week that he and Abraham first informed board Vice Chairman Garland Pinholster of Ball Ground of their budding relationship but didn't tell the full board until two weeks later.

The reprimand, proposed by board member Larry Walker of Perry, will cite Abraham for failing to report the relationship soon enough.

During a news conference several hours after Monday's vote, Abraham said she did everything she could to follow DOT policy. But she said the board made a good decision for the future of the agency.

"I respect the authority of the board," she said. "They sent a clear message that we should hold myself and our employees to the highest ethical and moral standards."

Abraham took over the top post at the DOT in December. The former head of the Georgia Building Authority was Gov. Sonny Perdue's choice for the job because of her track record as a reformer.

She has scored high marks among the business leaders who pushed unsuccessfully for transportation funding legislation during the recent legislative session.

"We thank the board for confirming Commissioner Abraham as the right person to lead the department at this critical time in Georgia's history," Charles Tarbutton, chairman of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce," said in a prepared statement. "We will continue to work with her, the governor and the General Assembly to ensure our limited road dollars are spent more efficiently and secure new funding to build the transportation infrastructure our state urgently needs."

Walker made his proposal to reprimand Abraham as a substitute to a motion offered by board member Dana Lemon of McDonough asking her to resign.

Lemon was among the board members who voted last October against appointing Abraham to the post.