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Lawsuit challenges DeKalb ethics actions

Voters approved a reorganization of the DeKalb County Board of Ethics during a Nov. 3 referendum. The new board will be appointed by community groups instead of by elected officials, and it will gain the ability to levy $1,000 fines. MARK NIESSE / MARK.NIESSE@AJC.COM
Voters approved a reorganization of the DeKalb County Board of Ethics during a Nov. 3 referendum. The new board will be appointed by community groups instead of by elected officials, and it will gain the ability to levy $1,000 fines. MARK NIESSE / MARK.NIESSE@AJC.COM
By
Dec 28, 2015

Voters overwhelmingly approved a proposal last month to strengthen the DeKalb County Board of Ethics, but change may be slow to come.

A lawsuit by DeKalb Commissioner Sharon Barnes Sutton questions the authority of the board to sit in judgment of officials’ behavior, arguing that it undermines fundamental due process rights.

As a result of the lawsuit, a judge put Sutton's case on hold. The suit could have farther-reaching consequences if a judge agrees with the idea that the board is unconstitutional.

ExplorePlease read the full story 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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