Georgia Supsreme Court makes ruling on two high profile case
ATLANTA - The Georgia Supreme Court unanimously voted Thursday to reinstate DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis law license.
“It is hereby ordered that W. Burell Ellis, Jr. be reinstated to the practice of law in the state of Georgia.”
Ellis was indicted in 2013 for allegedly extorting campaign contributions from business owners who had contracts with the county. He also denied canceled contracts of vendors who refused to make a donation to his 2012 bid for re-election.
Last week Justice Harold Melton wrote that while the evidence was sufficient to convict Ellis, due to technical errors, the criminal convictions against Ellis, who has already served his time in prison and been released, must be reversed.
The Supreme Court of Georgia also unanimously voted Thursday to accept House Speaker David Ralston’s petition for voluntary discipline. The court ordered that he receive a “Review Panel reprimand” by a panel of the State Bar of Georgia.
Ralston in turn agreed to admit that he inadvertently violated tow state bar rules, including loaning money to a client for living expenses.