DeKalb ethics officer, board members cleared in complaint

The DeKalb Board of Ethics and ethics officer Stacey Kalberman have been cleared of ethics complaints related to their support of a bill that would have addressed concerns about how its members are appointed.

State Rep. Vernon Jones and DeKalb residents Rhea Johnson and Amos King filed a total of four complaints accusing Kalberman and the entire board of improperly speaking in favor of the legislation, which ultimately stalled. Kalberman was also accused of improper political activity, and Johnson also questioned board members' decision to dismiss a complaint Jones filed against former CEO Burrell Ellis.

Former Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears served as the hearing officer. She wrote in a ruling published Wednesday that she found no probable cause for any of the accusations and dismissed all charges.