Columbus state lawmaker returns campaign funds she received from embattled Newnan businessman

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — A Columbus Republican lawmaker said Tuesday that she had returned a 2024 campaign contribution from a Newman man under investigation for running an alleged Ponzi scheme. 

Rep. Carmen Rice (R-Columbus) said she received a contribution from Brant Frost V last year when she was running for office. 

According to the AP, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission stated in a civil lawsuit filed last Thursday that First Liberty Building and Loan, controlled by Brant Frost V, misrepresented its business of making high-interest loans to companies to investors. Instead, investigators said that its loans mostly went sour and that it then raised more money to repay earlier investors, while Frost skimmed millions for himself and his family. 

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Federal officials say a prominent Georgia Republican was running a $140 million Ponzi scheme

“On April 18, 2024, I received an unsolicited donation of $250 from Brant Frost V (via credit card),” Rice said in a statement. “This donation was returned in full via the method in which it was received (digital via website) on Friday, July 11, 2025. On July 15, 2025, it was confirmed by my bank that the transaction was complete and the money was returned.” 

The Frost family was heavily connected to Georgia Republican politics.  

“Prior to any call from elected officials to return the funds, we did so, as it was the right thing to do,” Rice said. 

Rice was elected last year to fill the House District 139 seat vacated by the death of Rep. Richard Smith. 

WRBL reached out to state Sen. Randy Robertson (R-Cataula). Robertson said he has never taken campaign contributions from the Frost family.