Concerned Citizens of Fayette County calls for the resignation of School Board member Randy Hough following findings by the Georgia Secretary of State that he helped sell millions of dollars in vestments tied to the First Liberty Building and Loan Ponzi Scheme involving nearly $140 million while misleading investors and failing to disclose key risks. State regulators imposed a $500,000 civil penalty and referred the case for possible criminal prosecution, noting that Hough personally recruited investors and that some individuals, including community members who trusted him in his public, lost significant portions of their life savings after being told the investments we low-risk. These findings raise serious concerns about trust, fairness, and the responsibilities of public office, and we believe the integrity of Fayette County's schools requires his resignation so the community can move forward with confidence in its leadership.

Read the full letter below:

"To the Fayette County Board of Education and the citizens of Fayette County,

We, the undersigned residents, parents, educators, and community members of Fayette County, respectfully call for the resignation of Fayette County Board of Education member Randy Hough.

Our community places deep trust in those who serve in positions of public responsibility, especially those entrusted with guiding the education of our children. School board members hold a position of authority that requires integrity, transparency, and loyalty to the people they serve. When that trust is shaken, the entire community feels the impact.

Recent findings from the Georgia Secretary of State’s office concluded that Mr. Hough helped sell millions of dollars in investments tied to the First Liberty Building and Loan scheme, allegedly misleading investors and failing to disclose critical financial risks. Regulators imposed a $500,000 civil penalty and referred the matter for possible criminal prosecution.

According to investigators, several investors said they trusted Mr. Hough because of his personal relationships and his public role in the community, with some losing large portions of their life savings after relying on his assurances. Reports also indicate that some victims invested because they believed in the values being presented to them and were told the investments were “low risk,” only to later discover the losses were devastating.

These allegations go beyond financial matters and strike at the heart of the relationship between public servants and the communities they are sworn to serve.

Regardless of political affiliation, ideology, or personal opinion, we believe in a simple principle: public office requires trust. When credible findings suggest that trust may have been broken, potentially to take advantage of neighbors, teachers, and retirees, the responsible course is to step aside and allow the community to move forward with confidence in its institutions.
This petition is not about partisanship or punishment. It is about accountability and protecting the dignity of Fayette County’s schools and restoring confidence in the leadership entrusted with overseeing one of the most important institutions in our community.

The Fayette County Board of Education oversees a school system that educates thousands of children and manages a large public budget. That responsibility demands leaders whose integrity is beyond question and whose loyalty lies first with the community they serve.

For the sake of the students, families, educators, and taxpayers of Fayette County, we believe the honorable and responsible step is for Mr. Hough to resign his position on the Fayette County Board of Education.

Our schools deserve leadership that reflects the highest standards of trust, accountability, and respect for the community.

Respectfully,

Concerned Citizens of Fayette County"