¶ Overview
While Rick Jackson promotes himself as a selfless philanthropist and gubernatorial candidate running to help Georgians, he faced backlash for using his wealth and power to do the opposite.
Despite pitching himself as a philanthropist who would address rent and housing costs, Jackson bashed Georgians living in apartments and voiced a fear of children, all while boasting about his mega-mansion in a 2013 deposition. In 2012, Jackson sued the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners over zoning approval of apartments near his property. In his 2013 deposition, Jackson belittled people who lived in apartments, including children, and boasted about having the “nicest home in Georgia” and a lavish home in areas where people could not afford several acres of land. Jackson boasted having a dog “agility center” in his mega-mansion, which would have the closest proximity to the apartment complex. Jackson said having apartments adjacent to his mansion would be a "complete total disgrace and disrespect,” claimed "people that rent are not as responsible as people that own," and said the “type of people” that lived in apartments would affect the value of his mansion’s property and would increase security concerns for him. Jackson admitted to believing the stereotype that renters bring in “bigger security issue[s].” He said apartment children increased his security concerns, believing they would find a way to sneak into his property. Jackson complained that he needed to install a $500,000 security upgrade to prevent any potential crime associated with renters moving in near his property.
Despite campaigning on housing affordability and business solutions, Jackson's JIG Real Estate spent more than four years trying to take a Georgia couple's home in a legal battle that led to a cascade of health problems and tragedy for the couple. Starting in 2007, Jackson's company bought Tammi and James Garland's home in a foreclosure sale that was not supposed to take place. JIG Real Estate refused to rescind the home and sued the lender and the Garlands to keep the house. Court records described a JIG Real Estate representative allegedly threatening to “kick the hell” out of the couple if they did not leave the house. Ultimately, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled against JIG Real Estate, confirming the foreclosure sale had been properly rescinded despite the company's claim it had been entitled to the property. Court filings showed the legal dispute led to Tammi Garland suffering a seizure during the confrontation and James Garland suffering from a “major heart attack.” Tammi Garland ultimately died in 2008 while James Garland attempted suicide a few months after the legal dispute and ultimately died in 2012.
Jackson also touted the investment in a Texas data center and promoted the need for local input over data center development, yet faced backlash from Bowie County, Texas residents over his company’s development of a massive hyperscale data center campus. No Bowie Data Centers organized against the data center project linked to Jackson’s company and questioned his pledge for local input due to a confidentiality agreement between Bowie County Commissioners and Jackson’s company over the land sale.
¶ Despite Claiming He Would Help People Struggling With Rent And Housing Costs, Jackson Previously Sued His Local County For Approving Apartments Near His Mega-Mansion And Belittled Renters
¶ Jackson Pitched Himself As A Philanthropist Who Would Help Address Rent And Housing Costs, Yet He Previously Sued The Forsyth County Commission For Approving Apartments Near His $11.5 Million Mega-Mansion
Despite Pitching Himself As A Philanthropist Who Will Help People Struggling With Rent And Housing Costs, Jackson Previously Sued His Local County For Approving Apartments Near His $11.5 Million Mega-Mansion In Cumming. According to the Daily Beast, "MAGA billionaire Rick Jackson wants to be Georgia’s next governor–and is pitching himself as a philanthropist who will ‘treat affordability like a crisis’ and help people struggling with rent and housing costs. But when it came to apartments near his own home, Jackson seemed to have a different philosophy. Documents obtained by The Swamp’s Farrah Tomazin reveal how the Trump ally sued his local county for approving apartments near his $11.5 million mega-mansion in Cumming, about 40 miles from Atlanta." [Daily Beast, 9/18/26]
- 2012: Jackson Sued The Forsyth County Commission After It Approved Zoning Conditions That Cleared The Way For A 202-Unit Apartment Complex On Neighboring Property. According to Forsyth County News, "The owner of a Trammel Road mansion has launched a lawsuit against the Forsyth County commission after it approved zoning conditions that clear the way for apartments on neighboring property. Richard L. Jackson filed the suit in Forsyth County Superior Court, requesting an appeal of the commission's Oct. 18 decision to grant zoning condition amendments for GJ Enterprises Acquisitions LLC to build apartments instead of townhomes off Highway 20. The developer plans a complex with 202 units on about 12 of the site's nearly 34 acres, which are zoned as a master planned development, allowing for both commercial and residential components." [Forsyth County News, 11/8/12]
¶ Jackson Boasted “Forsyth County Ought To Be Proud Of One Fact, In That They Have The Nicest Home In Georgia And The 18th Largest Home In The United States” And Said “It Defies” Logic To Place Apartments Next To Wealthy Homes
2013: In A Deposition From His Lawsuit, Jackson Boasted “Forsyth County Ought To Be Proud Of One Fact, In That They Have The Nicest Home And The 18th Largest Home In The United States,” Which Included 82 Rooms, A Bowling Alley, A Private Golf Course, A Movie Theater, And A Dog Agility Center. According to the Daily Beast, "‘Forsyth County ought to be proud of one fact, in that they have the nicest home in Georgia and the 18th largest home in the United States,’ Jackson boasted in a 2013 deposition for his lawsuit. The 47,000-square-foot estate, known as ‘Le Rêve’ (‘The Dream’), is indeed a nice home, with 82 rooms, a bowling alley, a private nine-hole golf course, a movie theater, and a dog agility course. But the health executive argued that having apartments next to his estate would be a ‘complete total disgrace and disrespect’ and fretted about the ‘type of people’ who would live there." [Daily Beast, 9/18/26]
- 2013: Jackson Said He Had Dog “Agility Building” In His Property, An Indoor Recreation Center Mainly For “Dog Agility Training,” Which Was The Closest Building To The Common Property Line. According to Rick Jackson’s deposition in Jackson v. Forsyth County Board of Commissioners,
[Rick Jackson Deposition, Jackson v. Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, 12-cv-2386 – Forsyth County Superior Court, Page 40-41, 6/20/13]
¶ Jackson Boasted Having The “Nicest Home In Georgia” And Claimed Building Apartments Near His Mansion Was A “Complete Total Disgrace And Disrespect" To His Property
2013: Jackson Boasted Having The “Nicest Home In Georgia And The 18th Largest Home In The United States” And Having “Georgia’s Finest Mega-Mansion,” And Claimed Building Apartments Near His Mansion Was A “Complete Total Disgrace And Disrespect" To His Property. According to Rick Jackson’s deposition in Jackson v. Forsyth County Board of Commissioners,
[Rick Jackson Deposition, Jackson v. Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, 12-cv-2386 – Forsyth County Superior Court, Page 30-31, 6/20/13]
¶ Jackson Said It “Defies Logic” To Have Apartments Next To “People That Can Afford Two Acres Plus A Home” In The Wealthy Forsyth County
2013: Jackson Said It “Defies Logic” To Have An Apartment Building In Forsyth County Where Tenants Could Live Next To “People That Can Afford Two Acres Plus A Home” In “One Of The Richest Counties In The United States.” According to Rick Jackson’s deposition in Jackson v. Forsyth County Board of Commissioners,
[Rick Jackson Deposition, Jackson v. Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, 12-cv-2386 – Forsyth County Superior Court, Page 34, 6/20/13]
¶ Jackson Claimed The Forsyth County Commissioners “Obviously Didn’t Remind Themselves Of What Property This Is Adjacent To” And Complained The Apartments Would Devalue The Property Of His Mansion
2013: Jackson Claimed The Forsyth County Commissioners “Obviously Didn’t Remind Themselves Of What Property This Is Adjacent To” And Said What Truly Mattered To Him Was His Belief He Would Have “Security Problems,” It Would Devalue His Home, And Would Make “Peace Of Mind” A “Very Difficult Issue.” According to Rick Jackson’s deposition in Jackson v. Forsyth County Board of Commissioners,
[Rick Jackson Deposition, Jackson v. Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, 12-cv-2386 – Forsyth County Superior Court, Page 50, 6/20/13]
¶ Jackson Claimed Placing Apartments Next To His Estate Was A “Complete Total Disgrace And Disrespect" And Fretted About The “Type Of People” Who Rent Apartments, Claiming Renters Were Less Responsible Than Homeowners
¶ Jackson Claimed Apartments Next To His Estate Was A “Complete Total Disgrace And Disrespect" And Fretted About The “Type Of People” Who Rent
2013: In A Deposition From His Lawsuit, Jackson Claimed Having Apartments Next To His Estate Was A “Complete Total Disgrace And Disrespect" And Fretted About The “Type Of People” Who Live In Apartments. According to the Daily Beast, "‘Forsyth County ought to be proud of one fact, in that they have the nicest home in Georgia and the 18th largest home in the United States,’ Jackson boasted in a 2013 deposition for his lawsuit. The 47,000-square-foot estate, known as ‘Le Rêve’ (‘The Dream’), is indeed a nice home, with 82 rooms, a bowling alley, a private nine-hole golf course, a movie theater, and a dog agility course. But the health executive argued that having apartments next to his estate would be a ‘complete total disgrace and disrespect’ and fretted about the ‘type of people’ who would live there." [Daily Beast, 9/18/26]
¶ Jackson Claimed Renters “Are Not As Responsible As People That Own” Their Homes And Presented A “Bigger Security Issue”
2013: In A Deposition From His Lawsuit, Jackson Claimed Renters “Are Not As Responsible As People That Own” Their Homes And Presented A “Bigger Security Issue,” And Complained Children From Apartments Would Eventually Sneak Into His Property. According to the Daily Beast, "Renters ‘are not as responsible as people that own’ their own homes, he said, and presented a ‘bigger security issue.’ What’s more, Jackson noted, children from the apartments might find a way to sneak onto his property. ‘Nobody in their right mind would build 200 units adjacent to this kind of property,’ he lamented at the time." [Daily Beast, 9/18/26]
2013: Jackson Asserted There Would Be “More Security Issues” Due To Apartments Adjacent To A “3,000 Foot Home That’s Really Nice That Looks Like 25 Other Homes,” And Said “That’s A Ton Difference Between The Nicest Property In Georgia” And Apartments. According to Rick Jackson’s deposition in Jackson v. Forsyth County Board of Commissioners,
[Rick Jackson Deposition, Jackson v. Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, 12-cv-2386 – Forsyth County Superior Court, Page 53-54, 6/20/13]
2013: Jackson Tried To Say He Was “Not A Classist” But Said It Was A Security Issue For Apartment Tenants To Live “Less Than 20 Yards Of The Nicest Piece Of Property In Georgia.” According to Rick Jackson’s deposition in Jackson v. Forsyth County Board of Commissioners,
[Rick Jackson Deposition, Jackson v. Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, 12-cv-2386 – Forsyth County Superior Court, Page 33-34, 6/20/13]
¶ Jackson Claimed Living Next To Renters Would Make It “Difficult To Sleep” And Said He Had More Peace Of Mind In Living In Areas Where Most People Could Not Afford Several Acres
2013: Jackson Said Having Apartments Near His Mansion Would Make It “Difficult To Sleep” And Would Create A “Constant State Of Concern For Security.” According to Rick Jackson’s deposition in Jackson v. Forsyth County Board of Commissioners,
[Rick Jackson Deposition, Jackson v. Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, 12-cv-2386 – Forsyth County Superior Court, Page 85-86, 6/20/13]
2013: Jackson Said He Did Not Lose Sleep Over Security Concerns In His Previous Eight-Acre Residence In Buckhead Because “There Were People That Couldn’t Afford Two To Four Acres In Buckhead.” According to Rick Jackson’s deposition in Jackson v. Forsyth County Board of Commissioners,
[Rick Jackson Deposition, Jackson v. Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, 12-cv-2386 – Forsyth County Superior Court, Page 86, 6/20/13]
¶ Jackson Claimed Occupants In “Expensive” Townhomes Were “A Lot Different” Than Renters And Admitted To Believing The Stereotype That Apartments Bring In “Bigger Security Issue[s]”
2013: Jackson Argued There Was A Greater Security Concern With Apartment Tenants Than People Who Reside In “Expensive Townhomes,” And Said He Believed Less Children Would Live In Townhomes Than Apartments. According to Rick Jackson’s deposition in Jackson v. Forsyth County Board of Commissioners,
[Rick Jackson Deposition, Jackson v. Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, 12-cv-2386 – Forsyth County Superior Court, Page 44-45, 6/20/13]
2013: Jackson Admitted To Believing The Stereotype That Apartments Bring In “Bigger Security Issue[s],” Also Noting Apartment Tenants And Townhome Occupants Have Different "Educational Levels, Income Levels.” According to Rick Jackson’s deposition in Jackson v. Forsyth County Board of Commissioners,
[Rick Jackson Deposition, Jackson v. Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, 12-cv-2386 – Forsyth County Superior Court, Page 45, 6/20/13]
¶ Jackson Complained His Security Company Quoted Him More Than $500,000 To Implement A New Security System And Invoked His Upbringing In “The Slums” To Assert More Crime Would Follow Apartment Renters
2013: Jackson Said His Security Company Quoted Him More Than $500,000 To Implement A New Security System. According to Rick Jackson’s deposition in Jackson v. Forsyth County Board of Commissioners,
[Rick Jackson Deposition, Jackson v. Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, 12-cv-2386 – Forsyth County Superior Court, Page 41-42, 6/20/13]
2013: Jackson Invoked His Upbringing In The “Slums” Where “There’s Just More Activity, Criminal Activity In Apartments Than There Are Homes,” And Said “You Don’t Go To A Neighborhood That Has Two Acres Per House” And Expect Neighboring Apartments. According to Rick Jackson’s deposition in Jackson v. Forsyth County Board of Commissioners,
[Rick Jackson Deposition, Jackson v. Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, 12-cv-2386 – Forsyth County Superior Court, Page 92, 6/20/13]
¶ Jackson Said It Was A “Real Security Concern” For 200 To 400 Children Living Within 30 Yards Of His Mansion, Claiming It Would Be An “Attractive Nuisance”
Jackson Said It Was A “Real Security Concern” For 200 To 400 Children Living Within 30 Yards Of His Mansion, Claiming It Would Be An “Attractive Nuisance.” According to Rick Jackson’s deposition in Jackson v. Forsyth County Board of Commissioners,
[Rick Jackson Deposition, Jackson v. Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, 12-cv-2386 – Forsyth County Superior Court, Page 39-40, 6/20/13]
2013: Jackson Said He Was Particularly Concerned With Children Moving Into The Apartments Because He Believed They All Would Try To Figure Out A Way To Sneak Into His Mansion, And Called It An “Attractive Nuisance.” According to Rick Jackson’s deposition in Jackson v. Forsyth County Board of Commissioners,
[Rick Jackson Deposition, Jackson v. Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, 12-cv-2386 – Forsyth County Superior Court, Page 91-92, 6/20/13]
¶ Despite Campaigning On Housing Affordability And Business Solutions, Jackson's Company Tried To Take A Georgia Couple's Home In A Legal Battle That Led To A Cascade Of Health Problems And Tragedy For The Couple
¶ Despite Campaigning On Housing Affordability And Business Solutions, Jackson’s JIG Real Estate Spent More Than Four Years Trying To Take A Couple’s Home, And The Legal Battle Led To A Cascade Of Health Problems For The Couple And Their Ultimate Deaths
Despite Campaigning On Housing Affordability And Business Solutions, One Of Jackson’s Companies Spent More Than Four Years Trying To Take A Georgia Couple’s Home And Court Filings Describe A Cascade Of Health Problems And Their Ultimate Deaths. According to the Daily Beast, "MAGA billionaire Rick Jackson is running to be Georgia’s next governor, vowing to tackle housing affordability and bring ‘the same type of business solutions that President Trump is bringing to our country.’ But the Daily Beast can reveal that one of his companies spent more than four years trying to take a Georgia couple’s home in a legal battle so brutal that court filings describe a cascade of devastating health problems for both spouses—and ultimately their deaths.” [Daily Beast, 9/23/26]
¶ Starting In 2007 After JIG Real Estate Bought The Garlands’ Home In An Erroneous Foreclosure Sale, The Company Refused To Give Up The Property
Starting In 2007, Jackson’s JIG Real Estate Paid $239,500 For Tammi And James’ Garland Home In A Foreclosure That Was Not Supposed To Take Place, And JIG Real Estate Refused To Rescind The Home, Prompting Them To Sue The Lender And The Garlands. According to the Daily Beast, "The saga began in 2007, when Jackson’s JIG Real Estate paid $239,500 for the home of Tammi and James Garland in a foreclosure sale that wasn’t supposed to take place. The Garlands had already reached an agreement with their lender to cure their mortgage default, but a notification failure—or what a judge later described as an ‘email snafu’—meant the sale went ahead anyway. Countrywide Home Loans rescinded the purchase two days later and returned JIG’s money with interest. But the company refused to accept it and demanded to keep the house, eventually suing the lender and the Garlands all the way to the Georgia Supreme Court." [Daily Beast, 9/23/26]
¶ Court Filings Described A JIG Real Estate Representative Allegedly Threatening To “Kick The Hell” Out Of The Couple If They Did Not Leave
Court Filings Described A JIG Real Estate Representative Allegedly Threatening To “Kick The Hell” Out Of The Couple If They Did Not Leave. According to the Daily Beast, "Court filings describe a confrontation so ugly that a company representative allegedly threatened to ‘kick the hell’ out of the couple if they did not leave.” [Daily Beast, 9/23/26]
¶ The Georgia Supreme Court Ruled Against JIG, Confirming The Foreclosure Sale Had Been Properly Rescinded
The Georgia Supreme Court Ruled Against JIG, Confirming The Foreclosure Sale Had Been Properly Rescinded Despite Arguing It Had Been Entitled To The Property. According to the Daily Beast, "The company disputed the legal basis for rescinding the foreclosure sale and continued arguing it was entitled to the property. The Georgia Supreme Court also did not discuss the Garland’s health allegations, the alleged confrontation, or the suicide attempt or death when it ultimately ruled against JIG, confirming that the sale had been properly rescinded." [Daily Beast, 9/23/26]
¶ Court Records Highlighted The Garlands’ Health Complications Stemmed From The Legal Dispute
Records Showed Tammi Garland Suffering A Seizure During The Confrontation And James Garland Suffering From A “Major Heart Attack.” According to the Daily Beast, “According to a statement of material facts filed by the Garland’s attorneys, Tammi Garland suffered a seizure and collapsed during the confrontation. She died in 2008 from an accidental overdose of prescription medications after experiencing worsening pain, anxiety, and seizures that she attributed to the ordeal. Her husband James, who was previously a ‘very healthy middle aged man’ according to the same court filing, was so stressed by the threats that he experienced a ‘major heart attack.’" [Daily Beast, 9/23/26]
¶ Although Not Attributed To Jackson Or JIG, The Garlands Died In 2008 And 2012
Although Not Attributed To Jackson Or JIG, Tammi Garland Died Of An Accidental Overdose In 2008, And James Garland Attempted Suicide Months After The Dispute, Spent In A Coma For A Month, And Was Unable To Return To His Job, And Died In 2012. According to the Daily Beast, “According to a statement of material facts filed by the Garland’s attorneys, Tammi Garland suffered a seizure and collapsed during the confrontation. She died in 2008 from an accidental overdose of prescription medications after experiencing worsening pain, anxiety, and seizures that she attributed to the ordeal. Her husband James, who was previously a ‘very healthy middle aged man’ according to the same court filing, was so stressed by the threats that he experienced a ‘major heart attack.’ Months later, he attempted suicide, spent a month in a coma, and was unable to return to his job as a pharmacist. He died in 2012. The Garland’s deaths were not attributed to Jackson or JIG personally." [Daily Beast, 9/23/26]
¶ Jackson’s Company Faced Backlash From Texas Residents Over The Development Of A Massive Hyperscale Data Center Campus
¶ Jackson Touted His Investment In A Texas Data Center
Jackson Said He Invested In A Texas Data Center And Cited The Investment As Proof He Was “Knowledgeable” About Data Centers. According to 13WMAZ, “This week, 13WMAZ received audio from a source who was at a campaign stop in south Georgia, where Jackson told the crowd he invests in a data center in Texas. We asked him if that was true. ‘Yes, I do,’ he said. ‘I do have an investment and that's the reason I'm knowledgeable about it.’ Jackson said that for his investment, he had to provide a letter of credit to the power company, and that it didn't cost him. ‘I found out, in Georgia is the same way,’ he said. ‘Georgia Power does not pass that cost on to anybody.’ He added that Georgia Power has frozen their power rates. Because of his investment in a Texas data center, he said the experience has helped him know more about them. ‘I can take that that capability of understanding business transactions and convert it into reducing, helping affordability,’ he said. ‘Increasing revenue and expenses so you can cut down on taxes.’” [13WMAZ, 4/2/26]
¶ Jackson’s Company Datahub Developers LLC Was Tied To A Rural Northeast Texas Site Developing A Massive Hyperscale Data Center Campus
Jackson Was An Investor In A Major Texas Data Center Project And His Company Datahub Developers LLC Was Tied To A Rural Northeast Texas Site Developing A Massive Hyperscale Data Center Campus. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Jackson is an investor in a major Texas data center project, and his state financial disclosure lists him as the head of Datahub Developers LLC. Records tie the company to a rural northeast Texas site where a massive hyperscale data center campus is under development." [Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 9/15/26]
¶ No Bowie County Data Centers Organized Against Projects Linked To Jackson’s Company And Questioned Jackson's Pledge For Local Input Over Data Centers
HEADLINE: "Rick Jackson Says Communities Should Decide On Data Centers. But His Own Data Center Project In Texas Is Under Fire From Locals" [Courier Georgia, 9/11/26]
No Bowie County Data Centers Organized Against Projects Linked To Jackson’s Company, And A Leary, Texas Resident Questioned Jackson’s Claim He Supported Local Input Over Data Center Development. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "A group called No Bowie County Data Centers has organized against projects linked to Jackson’s company, raising concerns about the strain on the environment and the development process. Dozens of residents packed a county meeting last month before officials approved the sale of a 582-acre tract tied to the project. Danny Proctor, a Texas resident who lives in Leary near the data center site, told the AJC in an email that his attempts to reach Jackson over concerns about the project have gone unanswered. He questioned whether the Republican contender means it when he says ‘every community needs to have control of whether they have a data center or not — full stop,’ during his campaign speeches. ‘Those are strong words,’ Proctor wrote in an email to Jackson that was obtained by the AJC. ‘Now you have an opportunity to demonstrate whether they are also a standard you are willing to live by. Because, Mr. Jackson, a principle should not stop at the Georgia state line.’" [Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 9/15/26]
- Jackson’s Op-Ed Highlighted His Pledge To Provide “Clear, Consistent Guidelines For Data Centers,” Noting There Needed To Be Local Support And Clear Local Benefit, And Data Centers Needed To “Pay Their Own Way And Meet Strong Environmental Standards.” According to Rick Jackson’s opinion in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Politicians like to hedge and muddy the waters, especially on complicated and controversial issues like data centers. I’m not a politician, so I’ll give it to you straight. When I’m governor, Georgia will have clear, consistent guidelines for data centers. The short and simple version is this: Data centers must have local support, provide a clear local benefit, pay their own way and meet strong environmental standards. Data centers can bring investment and revenue to a community. But they can also place enormous demands on local land, roads, water and power. Those tradeoffs should never be decided behind closed doors or dictated by politicians hundreds of miles away. The people who live with the consequences must have a meaningful voice in the decision." [Rick Jackson Opinion – Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 8/27/26]
¶ Bowie County Residents Were Upset Over A Confidentiality Agreement Between The County Commissioners And Jackson’s Company
Bowie County Residents Were Upset Over A Confidentiality Agreement Over The Land Sale For Data Center Development Between County Commissioners And Jackson’s Company. According to the Courier Georgia, "A separate document filed in Bowie County this August, a Waiver of Surface Rights, names Datahub Developers as the ‘Project Company’ planning to build on that land. That’s the same tract the county and economic development nonprofits voted in August to fully sell for data center development. A $12 million sale and a confidentiality clause That August sale is the one Proctor and his neighbors packed the Bowie County Courthouse to fight. Dozens of residents showed up to a special commissioners’ meeting to press officials on property values, pollution, water use, and the county’s approach to economic development before the sale was approved. County Judge Bobby Howell told the crowd that the three government entities had originally paid about $1.5 million for the land and were selling it for $12 million, a return he called ‘tremendous,’ separate from any revenue the data center itself might eventually generate. When Proctor, who attended the meeting, asked whether commissioners had signed a nondisclosure agreement covering the sale, Judge Howell confirmed they had, describing a confidentiality clause as standard practice in real estate contracts. ‘We signed a contract that had a confidentiality clause,’ Howell said. That pattern is exactly what strikes Proctor as irreconcilable with what Jackson has said publicly about data centers. In an op-ed for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jackson wrote that decisions about data centers ‘should never be decided behind closed doors,’ and that the people who live with the consequences ‘must have a meaningful voice in the decision.’" [Courier Georgia, 9/11/26]