Gov. Nathan Deal said he will appoint a panel Friday to review Rep. Tyrone Brooks’ indictment and determine if the Atlanta Democrat should be suspended from office.
Deal told reporters Thursday that the committee, as called for in the Georgia Constitution, will include one House member, one senator and the attorney general.
“I want people who are going to be open-minded, who are going to be fair and, as much as possible, remove political considerations from their decision – recognizing that the peculiar circumstances are that Rep. Brooks would continue to receive his salary and benefits” even if suspended, Deal said.
If the panel so decides Brooks should be suspended, he would not be allowed to cast a vote in the General Assembly – although that would not be a permanent sanction. The panel does not have the power to remove Brooks from office.
“So, it is not as large in magnitude as if it were going to be a permanent replacement,” Deal said. “That is not the choice that they make. It is simply whether to suspend him from taking part in official state actions until such time as either a new election occurs or the court case is resolved.”
Deal also said political affiliation would “not necessarily” be a factor in who he chooses to serve on the panel.
Brooks faces a 30-count federal indictment that accuses him of defrauding two charities he leads — the Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials and Universal Humanities. Prosecutors allege Brooks raised money for the organizations but used much of it for personal expenses.
Brooks’ attorney, former Gov. Roy Barnes, said Brooks broke no laws, but should have had better accounting practices.
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