Take Your Husband to Work—Literally? Ethical Questions Grow Over Cupid’s Husband’s Access to County Government Data

Cobb County, GA — Questions are mounting in Cobb County following reports that Chairwoman Lisa Cupid’s husband, Craig, is serving as a volunteer within the county government she oversees while simultaneously campaigning for public office.

Public service demands not only integrity, but the appearance of integrity. That standard is now being tested as residents seek clarity about why the spouse of the county’s top elected official—who has been publicly identified as a law partner in private practice—has reportedly transitioned from private legal work to a volunteer role inside the chairwoman’s office.

Volunteer service itself is not unusual, and family members have long assisted elected officials in limited, administrative capacities. What distinguishes this situation, residents say, is the intersection of spousal authority, proximity to government operations, and an active political campaign.

Cupid’s hsuabnd is not a student intern or clerical volunteer. As a trained attorney and declared candidate for office, his presence inside county government raises heightened ethical considerations—particularly regarding access to information, staff interactions, access to reccords, and exposure to internal decision-making within an office led by his spouse.

Appearance, Access, and Ethics

The concern is not an allegation of wrongdoing. Rather, it is whether adequate ethical firewalls exist when a declared candidate for public office operates inside a government office overseen by an immediate family member.

Ethics standards at every level of government emphasize avoiding both actual conflicts of interest and the appearance of preferential access. When those lines appear blurred, public confidence suffers—even if no rules are technically violated.

Residents are asking straightforward questions:

• Why is the Cupid’s husband, a law firm partner, volunteering in her office?
• What specific role has Cupid’s husband been assigned?
• Who supervises Cupid’s husband, and how is independence ensured?
• What information, systems, or discussions does Cupid’s husband have access to?
• What safeguards prevent county staff, time, or insights from being used for political purposes by Cupid’s husband?
• Has this arrangement been formally reviewed under county ethics policies?

To date, residents say clear public answers have not been provided.

Why Transparency Matters

As Cupid’s husband campaigns for public office, scrutiny of his access to government operations intensifies. Ethics experts consistently note that unchecked proximity to internal government processes—especially during a campaign—creates reasonable doubt, and doubt erodes trust.

Even arrangements that comply with the letter of the law can undermine confidence if they are not clearly disclosed, independently reviewed, and tightly restricted.Ttransparency is not optional when ethical questions arise. Disclosure, written limitations, and independent oversight protect the public—and protect officials from suspicion. In government, perception is reality. And residents say the current perception is that ethical lines are blurred.

What Ethics Rules Apply in Cobb County? Cobb County, like most Georgia counties, operates under standard ethics and accountability frameworks, including:

County Ethics and Conflict-of-Interest Rules which generally require: Disclosure of potential conflicts, Avoidance of preferential treatment, Protection of confidential and nonpublic information, and Heightened scrutiny when close family relationships intersect with government operations.

Political Activity Restrictions – County policies typically prohibit:

• Use of county time, facilities, staff, or resources for political campaigns
• Any activity that could be construed as leveraging public position for political advantage

These standards commonly apply to employees and volunteers alike.

Whistleblower Protections

County employees are generally protected from retaliation when reporting suspected unethical conduct in good faith.

If an Employee Sees Something Unethical—Who Can They Report It To?

Employees who observe potentially improper conduct may report concerns through multiple channels, including:

• An immediate supervisor (when appropriate)
• Cobb County Human Resources
• The County Attorney’s Office
• The Cobb County Ethics Board or designated ethics officer
• Internal compliance or risk-management processes

Documentation and good-faith reporting are typically protected under whistleblower provisions.

The Bottom Line

This issue is not about personalities—it is about process, safeguards, and public trust. When a sitting county chair places her spouse inside county government while he seeks elected office, the responsibility rests with leadership to demonstrate—clearly and publicly—that ethics rules are being followed in both letter and spirit.

The simplest solution is also the cleanest: Cupid should end this foolish arrangement and ensure her husband has no role—formal or informal—inside county government while he campaigns for office. When ethical lines appear blurred, leadership must act decisively. Ending her husband’s access to county government would be a prudent and responsible step.

Silence fuels suspicion. Transparency restores confidence.