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Former DeKalb D.A. Robert James switches to defense of ex-commissioner

DaKalb County District Attorney Robert James talks about the release of a corruption report on Sept. 30, 2015. Ben Gray / bgray@ajc.com
DaKalb County District Attorney Robert James talks about the release of a corruption report on Sept. 30, 2015. Ben Gray / bgray@ajc.com
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June 30, 2017

Former DeKalb Commissioner Stan Watson is relying on the county's former top prosecutor to defend him against a felony charge of theft by conversion.

Watson hired former DeKalb District Attorney Robert James as his criminal defense attorney.

James, now a partner at Morriss, Shim & James, says he only learned about the allegations after he left office Dec. 31. But James also says his intimate knowledge of the criminal justice system will help mount a legal defense for Watson.

A DeKalb grand jury indicted Watson this week based on allegations that he received about $3,000 in travel advances for trips he never took.

Watson, who resigned in March 2016, didn't repay the money until after Channel 2 Action News and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported it was missing earlier this year.

Exclusive to subscribers: Read more about the ex-prosecutor’s reasons for defending Watson on myAJC.com.

About the Author

Mark Niesse covers Georgia government for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and is considered an expert on elections and voting. Before joining the AJC, he worked for The Associated Press in Atlanta, Honolulu and Montgomery, Alabama. He also reported for The Daily Report and The Santiago Times in Chile.

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