A three-member panel has unanimnously agreed that DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis should be suspended from office as he fights 14 felony charges.
Gov. Nathan Deal, who has final say, will not say if he agrees until later this week, a spokesman said. If he removes Ellis from office, he also must name who will serve in the role temporarily.
Ellis was indicted last month for allegedly trying to strong-arm county vendors to contribute to his re-election campaign.
DeKalb District Attorney Robert James made a surprise appearance at Monday morning’s hearing, arguing that the charges of theft, extortion and conspiracy left them with no choice but to recommend suspension. His 15-minute presentation was the first time he and Ellis have been in the same room since the indictment.
“He interfered with county contracts,” James said. “(The indictment) directly relates to his role as chief executive.”
Ellis’ lead attorney, Craig Gillen, argued that if the charges were related to the CEO job, the DA was to have given advance notice of the indictment - which did not happen. He also highlighted Ellis’ accomplishments this year, such as a 3 percent cost-of-living raise for the county’s lowest paid workers, as proof the charges are not hindering his ability to serve.
The three-member committee - Rockdale CEO Richard Oden, Clayton Commission Chairman Jeffrey Turner and Attorney General Sam Olens - were asked to determine whether the charges of theft, extortion and conspiracy against Ellis interfere with his ability to run daily operations in Georgia’s third-largest county.
Ellis did not speak during the hearing.
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