Septimana horribilis.
It's a Latin phrase, and it means "horrible week."
The last five days certainly qualifies as a septimana horribilis for Democratic Party of Georgia chairman Mike Berlon.
This week started with news that Mike Berlon had his law license suspended and received a reprimand from the state Supreme Court. Then came the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) report showing $30,734.18 cash on hand and $18,661.32 in debt for Georgia's Democratic Party. Following that, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) reported Mike Berlon, chairman of the Democratic Party of Georgia, faced even more legal troubles.
Mike Berlon was accused in a Gwinnett County lawsuit this week of failing to distribute nearly $1 million from a trust he created for a friend and his son.
The Gwinnett lawsuit was filed this week by Raymond Hines, who hired Berlon to create a trust in his wife's name after her death in 2003. Hines and his son pumped $960,000 into the trust, they say, but they never heard back from Berlon when they repeatedly emailed and texted him wondering where they're money was.
Bluestein, Greg (23 May 2013). Top Democratic official in more legal hot water. Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved on 24 May 2013.
After this news broke, Democratic National Committee (DNC) member David Worley called on Berlon to resign or be removed from office.
A high-ranking Democratic official called Friday for his party’s chairman to step down after a spate of legal concerns came to light.
David Worley, a former chairman of the state party, said Mike Berlon’s legal woes tarnish the party’s image and hamper its abilities to raise funds. He said he’ll ask the Democratic Party of Georgia’s executive committee, a group of roughly 30, to recommend Berlon’s ouster at a June 6 meeting. A vote by the full panel of about 300 board members could follow.
Galloway, Jim (24 May 2013). Mike Berlon’s problems could complicate a Michelle Nunn roll-out. AJC Political Insider. Retrieved on 25 May 2013.
Here's what you should know about Democrat David J. Worley:
In spite of his
septimana horribilis, Democratic Party of Georgia chairman Mike Berlon said, "I'm doing the best job I can as chair of the Democratic Party, and my private practice has nothing to do with that. I still have two years on my term and I intend to serve it out."