DeKalb Commissioner Sutton will face final ethics hearing

Allegations that DeKalb County Commissioner Sharon Barnes Sutton and her assistant misspent public money are moving toward final hearings before the DeKalb Board of Ethics.

Sutton waived a preliminary hearing Tuesday, and the DeKalb Board of Ethics found probable cause to continue its review of several allegations against her aide, Judy Brownlee.

Ethics complaints filed by several DeKalb residents accuse Sutton and Brownlee of abusing their county purchasing cards.

Sutton has said her spending has been for legitimate government purposes.

The final hearings are planned for later this year, although the Board of Ethics didn’t set dates.

The board has the power to reprimand, suspend or remove officials who are found to have violated ethical rules.