More Republicans are pushing for Georgia House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, to give up his leadership position.
Channel 2 Action News has learned that Republican Party leaders in several counties approved resolutions Saturday asking Ralston to resign as House speaker.
Saturday's news comes after a joint investigation by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Channel 2 Action News found that Ralston appears to be misusing the power of his public office to benefit his private law practice.
By doing no more than writing letters to judges declaring that court dates interfere with his lawmaking duties, he has been able to keep cases perpetually off the docket. But his tactics can thwart justice, harm crime victims and put the public at risk.
Ralston has tied up cases for clients charged with child molestation, child cruelty, assault, terroristic threats, drunken driving and other crimes.
Last month after the investigation by the AJC and Channel 2, Ralston said he'd seek changes to the century-old law that allows state legislators to ask judges to delay court cases.
On Saturday, during Republican Party county conventions, several county GOP leaders, including ones from Gwinnett, DeKalb and Rabun counties, introduced the resolutions, citing “his egregious abuse of power and moral turpitude.”
The resolution from Gwinnett County thanked Clark for his "sponsorship of the resolution calling for Speaker Ralston to step down."
The AJC and Channel 2 found more than 20 criminal cases in which Ralston asked judges for continuances at least 55 times in the past two years, citing the legislative leave law. Ralston said he was busy on legislative business for 75 days outside of the legislative session in 2017 and 2018.
Ralston told Channel 2 Action News last month he has not taken advantage of the law.
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