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Deal appoints Rockdale County Chairman to review DeKalb CEO case
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ATLANTA (AP) — Gov. Nathan Deal has appointed a panel that will consider whether indicted DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis should be suspended from office.

Deal announced Monday that Rockdale County CEO Richard Oden and Clayton County Commission Chairman Jeffrey Turner will join Attorney General Sam Olens on the panel.

In a 15-count indictment, prosecutors accuse Ellis of trying to extort campaign contributions from companies and their employees. Prosecutors allege Ellis instructed the county's director of purchasing and contracting to prevent some companies from getting business because they didn't contribute to his campaign.

Ellis has denied any wrongdoing.

The panel has 14 days to issue a recommendation. If the panel determines Ellis should remain in office, the decision is final. If it recommends suspension, the governor will make the final decision.