Cobb School Board Members Ordered to Return Campaign Contributions

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Three members of the Cobb County Board of Education have been ordered by the Georgia Ethics Commission to return campaign contributions after political committees exceeded state contribution limits during the 2024 primary and general elections.

Board Vice Chair John Cristadoro, along with board members Brad Wheeler and Randy Scamihorn, received funds from three political committees — Freeman, Mathis, & Gary Reflections PAC, Cobb Children First, Inc., and Business for Schools, Inc. — that surpassed limits set under Georgia law.

Complaints filed with the Ethics Commission alleged the committees contributed amounts beyond what is legally permitted. According to commission findings, two of the committees accepted responsibility for exceeding contribution limits, while investigators determined there was no evidence the board members knowingly accepted illegal contributions.

Amounts and Repayment

• Brad Wheeler received $13,200 beyond the legal limit. State officials said Wheeler agreed to remit $5,000, citing insufficient campaign funds to repay the full amount.
• John Cristadoro received $6,600 beyond the limit and agreed to repay the full amount.
• Randy Scamihorn received $13,200 beyond the limit and agreed to remit the entire amount to the Ethics Commission.

Once repayment and remittance agreements were reached, all three cases were administratively dismissed, according to filings shared with Channel 2 Action News. The commission found no wrongdoing by any of the board members.

School board members control policy decisions affecting classrooms, staffing, budgets, and student outcomes. Community advocates say that even when legal thresholds are not crossed, ethical lapses — and the appearance of impropriety — can undermine public confidence.

In a statement, Cristadoro said the dismissal allows him to refocus on his duties, stating: “The commission’s full dismissal of this complaint allows me to focus on what Cobb County parents elected me to do, lead the best school system in the state.”

At a time when school boards face intense public scrutiny, residents say transparency and accountability are critical. While the Ethics Commission’s findings closed the cases legally, many parents are calling for clearer oversight and stronger safeguards to prevent similar issues in future election cycles.

As Cobb County schools continue to navigate academic, financial, and political challenges, community members say trust in leadership remains just as important as compliance with the law.