Cobb Democratic Lawmakers Call for Ouster of School Board Vice Chair Amid Ethics Concerns

Time for Accountability: Cobb School Board Vice Chair Must Step Down

Cobb Democratic state lawmaker Terry Cummings (D-Smyrna) is calling on Republican Cobb School Board Vice Chair John Cristadoro to step down from office, citing recent legal troubles and ethical concerns that, she says, undermine public trust.

Cristadoro last week settled a lawsuit filed against him and his marketing and advertising company, agreeing to pay $225,000, plus interest, to a former client — a Tampa-based life insurance agency. According to the settlement, Cristadoro acknowledged taking money intended for an advertising campaign and using it to cover his own operating expenses and credit card bills.

“By his own admission, Mr. Cristadoro engaged in civil fraud involving a quarter of a million dollars of client money,” Cummings said. “That is not a private lapse — it is a profound breach of fiduciary trust that disqualifies him from overseeing public funds. The governor has a clear duty under Georgia law to protect public confidence in our institutions.”

Cummings is leaning on legislation enacted after then-Gov. Nathan Deal removed the DeKalb County School Board in 2018 for ethical violations. Deal used a 2010 provision to remove six of the nine members of that school board and appoint new members. That law clarifies the governor’s authority to intervene when local boards fail to uphold public trust.

The Precedent is Clear
Governor Brian Kemp recently suspended Connie Taylor from her elected office as Cobb County Clerk of Courts, demonstrating that state intervention is both legal and necessary when an elected official is accused of violating public trust. Advocates argue that Kemp should now exercise the same authority in the case of Cristadoro, who has admitted to misappropriating his client’s funds, to ensure accountability and uphold the integrity of public office.

Cummings, who has worked as an attorney, a law enforcement officer, and a college professor, says Kemp should use his authority to conduct a formal ethics hearing and remove Cristadoro from the Cobb School Board if he refuses to step down. She is also calling on the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and the state Board of Education to review the matter. “This is not about politics; it’s about trust,” Cummings said. “The people of Cobb County have a right to expect transparency and accountability from those entrusted with their children’s education and their tax dollars. Public service demands not just competence, but also character.”

Cristadoro has defended his actions, saying he is “not ashamed.” In a written statement, he described the situation as the result of COVID-era challenges for small businesses. “My story is simple: a dad with a small business that ran into trouble during COVID. I’m not ashamed, don’t hide from it, and am glad to have it behind me,” he said.

Cummings countered that ethical lapses in private business directly affect Cristadoro’s ability to fulfill his fiduciary duties as an elected official. “Fiduciary duty doesn’t switch off when the meeting ends,” she said. “If a person cannot be trusted with client money in business, they cannot be trusted with taxpayer money in government.”

Cummings’ push for Cristadoro to resign or for action by Kemp is supported by fellow lawmakers, including Rep. Gabriel Sanchez (D-Smyrna). They are joined by several community organizations that are also calling for Cristadoro to resign.

“Public service requires both competence and character,” said Cummings. “This is about ensuring that those entrusted with public education and taxpayer money are held to the highest standard. The law is clear, the precedent exists, and the moral imperative is undeniable: John Cristadoro must step down or be removed, just as Gov. Kemp has acted in the past to protect public trust.”