A jury found DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis unanimously guilty on four felony charges related to allegations that he pushed county contractors into donating to his 2012 re-election campaign.

1. The jury, which deliberated for about 27 hours, found Ellis guilty of one count of attempted extortion and three counts of perjury.

2. Prosecuters also said Ellis lied under oath to a special purpose grand jury, saying he doesn't involve himself in county contracting.

3. Judge Courtney Johnson declared his first court appearance in 2014 a mistrial when the jury was unable to reach a verdict.

4. He will be sentenced July 8. He could receive up to 10 years in prison for his three perjury counts and five years for his attempt to commit theft by extorition count.

5. Kevin Walton, former head of DeKalb County's purchasing and contracts, wore a wire to record conversations with Ellis. Much of the prosecution's case depended on his tapes.

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The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

Credit: Reed Williams/AJC