Documents: Abrams’ Nonprofit Sent Millions to Close Associate’s Law Firm

Clear Facts

• Stacey Abrams’ nonprofit, Fair Fight Action, paid over $20 million to Lawrence & Bundy, a law firm connected to her close friend Allegra Lawrence-Hardy.
• The payments were for unspecified legal services, contributing to Fair Fight Action’s $2.5 million debt by 2024.
• Abrams has been linked to multiple nonprofits accused of financial misconduct, including Third Sector Development and New Georgia Project.

Stacey Abrams, a prominent figure in Democratic politics, is once again under scrutiny for the financial dealings of her nonprofit organization, Fair Fight Action. The group has reportedly paid more than $20 million to a law firm led by Allegra Lawrence-Hardy, a close friend and former campaign chair of Abrams. This revelation adds another layer to Abrams’ already controversial financial history.

The law firm in question, Lawrence & Bundy, received approximately $20.2 million from Fair Fight Action between 2019 and 2023. The payments were made for unspecified “legal services,” according to tax filings. Despite the significant sum involved, neither Abrams’ press team nor Lawrence-Hardy provided comments when approached for clarification.

Allegra Lawrence-Hardy, who has a long-standing relationship with Abrams dating back to their college days, played a key role in both of Abrams’ unsuccessful gubernatorial campaigns in 2018 and 2022. She confirmed that she and Abrams became “very good friends” while working together at an Atlanta-based law firm.

Fair Fight Action’s financial activities have raised eyebrows due to its stated mission to operate without the intent of financial gain for any individual. The organization’s legal expenses, partly due to a 2018 lawsuit against Georgia’s election system, have been significant. The lawsuit, which claimed racial discrimination, was dismissed by a judge in 2022 as baseless, further complicating Fair Fight Action’s financial standing.

The financial strain from these legal battles has been substantial, pushing Fair Fight Action into $2.5 million of debt by 2024. This financial predicament has resulted in staff layoffs.

Abrams’ involvement with nonprofits has often been marred by allegations of financial misconduct. Her voter registration group, Third Sector Development, has faced multiple tax liens in Georgia. Another advocacy group, New Georgia Project, was fined $300,000 for not disclosing campaign expenditures. Additionally, a watchdog group filed an IRS complaint against Fair Fight Action in 2019, accusing it of promoting Abrams’ political ambitions under the guise of advocating for voting rights.

The Biden administration has also faced criticism for allocating taxpayer money to a coalition of groups that included Fair Count, an organization linked to Abrams. Meanwhile, Abrams is contemplating a third gubernatorial run, keeping her political career in the spotlight.

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