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John P. Pelissero, a senior scholar at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University and a professor emeritus of political science at Loyola University Chicago, told The Center Square the situation isn't unique to Georgia.

"One of the ethical issues is this question of fairness. That's one of the lenses we oftentimes use," Pelissero said. "Can somebody who is a lobbyist fairly represent their constituents when one of their jobs is to try to get things from government — favorable legislation as an example — for their clients? That's always going to be in conflict with the public interest. And public officials need a level of awareness, ethical awareness in particular, about how this appears to the public.

John Pelissero, senior scholar, government ethics, quoted by The Center Square.