Lance, Facing Charges, Resigns as Head of Georgia Democrats

Former Budget Director Bert Lance, under fire for new allegations of banking irregularities, has resigned as chairman of the Georgia Democratic Party, saying he does not want his latest fight to become the party’s, it was reported Saturday.

“I leave the chairmanship because I desire to regain my status as a private citizen and not because I have done anything improper,” Lance wrote in a July 3 letter sent to members of the party’s executive committee.

“I have worked hard over the past many years as a public figure, and the time has come when I am ready to let others do the job,” wrote Lance, whose chairmanship of the Calhoun First National Bank is the subject of a federal investigation.

‘Should Be My Fight’

“Also, if I have to fight the OCC (Office of the Comptroller of the Currency) over the coming months, to stop their abuse and harassment, then that should be my fight and not the party’s.”

Lance’s resignation comes 11 months after he quit under pressure as general chairman of Walter F. Mondale’s presidential campaign and likely marks the end of a political comeback that was built on the power base Lance created out of the Georgia party chairmanship.

“I’m sorry it’s happened,” said Maxine Goldstein, vice chairwoman of the state party. “He’s done a lot of good for the Democratic Party. We’ll miss him.”

“I think it’s a loss to the party,” said Wayne Reece, general counsel to the state party. “It’s an unfortunate culmination of his efforts for the party. I hated to see it come about.”

Bank Examiner’s Report

Lance could not be reached for comment Saturday.

He quit as party chairman amid allegations of “suspected check-kiting schemes and other suspicious transactions” that were contained in a federal bank examiner’s report.

The findings of the eight-month investigation were first disclosed in a story published in the Atlanta Constitution on June 28. Lance, contesting the findings of the examination, tried but failed to gain a court order to prevent the story from being published.

When the latest allegations of banking irregularities came to light, other Democratic party leaders in Georgia said that Lance should consider resigning rather than embroil the party in controversy on the eve of the 1986 elections.