Fayette County has revised its procedures for investigating and punishing ethics ordinance violations involving county officials.

The Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 recently to approve a process in which ethics allegations would be initially heard by the board; complaints found to have merit would be referred to a panel of three non-Fayette County attorneys, which would issue a written decision within 15 days of a public hearing. The panel would also decide the punishment for violations.

The change will dissolve the current volunteer Ethics Board, which member Neely Moody said inappropriately eliminates citizen input.

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Ceudy Gutierrez reads a book to her 2-year-old son, Matias, at their home in Buford, GA, on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. Ceudy Gutierrez is struggling to make ends meet for herself and her three young kids following her husband’s ICE arrest earlier this fall. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez