Georgia Republican Faces Allegations of Forging MLB Star's Signature, Sending Racist Texts

Ryan Millsap, a Congressional candidate, is accused of fraudulently using Jason Heyward's signature and making racist and antisemitic comments.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 11:24pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, abstract painting featuring geometric shapes and overlapping forms in shades of gray, navy, and burgundy, representing the complex and troubling issues surrounding a political candidate's alleged misconduct.The allegations of forged signatures and racist texts against a Georgia Republican congressional candidate underscore the need for greater transparency and accountability in the political process.Atlanta Today

A Georgia Republican running for Congress, Ryan Millsap, is facing explosive allegations that he forged the signature of former Atlanta Braves outfielder Jason Heyward to lure investors into a land deal. Additionally, a cache of racist and antisemitic text messages allegedly sent by Millsap have surfaced, further complicating his late-stage bid for the state's 10th Congressional District.

Why it matters

These allegations against Millsap, the founder of Blackhall Studios, raise serious questions about his integrity and character, which could impact his chances of winning the congressional seat. The forged signature and racist texts also highlight the ongoing challenges of vetting political candidates and ensuring they uphold the highest ethical standards.

The details

In 2017, investment firm Telos Capital LLC sued Millsap, accusing him of 'fraudulently' inducing the firm to invest $8.5 million in a 52-acre land deal outside Atlanta by forging Heyward's signature. A private investigator confirmed the signature was lifted from a baseball trading card. The suit was settled in 2018. Additionally, a cache of racist and antisemitic text messages allegedly sent by Millsap to his then-girlfriend surfaced in 2024 during an arbitration dispute with his former lawyer. The texts included derogatory language towards Black and Jewish people.

  • In 2017, Telos Capital LLC sued Millsap over the forged signature.
  • The lawsuit was settled in 2018.
  • In 2024, the racist and antisemitic text messages were reported by ProPublica.

The players

Ryan Millsap

A Georgia Republican running for Congress in the state's 10th Congressional District. He is the founder of Blackhall Studios, an Atlanta-area film studio used by Marvel for projects.

Jason Heyward

A former outfielder for the Atlanta Braves, whose signature Millsap is accused of forging to lure investors into a land deal.

Telos Capital LLC

An investment firm that sued Millsap in 2017, accusing him of fraudulently using Heyward's signature to induce the firm to invest $8.5 million in a land deal.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“These claims are made up out of whole cloth. Full stop. Ryan Millsap is a warrior who has been doing battle against the leftist Antifa movement for years and wants to help President Donald Trump finish them to save this country.”

— Millsap's spokesman

What’s next

The allegations against Millsap are likely to be a major focus of his congressional campaign, and could potentially impact his chances of winning the seat. The Georgia Republican Party and other political organizations may need to further investigate the claims and determine if they have any merit.

The takeaway

These allegations against Millsap, if true, raise serious concerns about his integrity and character, which could undermine public trust in the political process. The forged signature and racist texts highlight the importance of thoroughly vetting political candidates and ensuring they uphold the highest ethical standards.