Politics & Government

Board Dismisses Ethics Case Against Ex-DeKalb CEO Burrell

BREAKING: DeKalb County Board of Ethics closes the case against former CEO Ellis Burrell.

DECATUR, GA -- In a stunning development late Thursday, the DeKalb County Board of Ethics on Thursday dismissed a complaint against former county CEO Burrell Ellis.

The dismissal brings an end to the saga that saw Ellis removed as the leader of DeKalb amid criminal charges of perjury and extortion.

In a unanimous vote, the panel quietly closed the case, which began when Ellis was accused of trying to extort county contractors during his 2012 re-election campaign.

Find out what's happening in Decatur-Avondale Estatesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Read more: DeKalb CEO Burrell addresses residents' sky-high water bills

Ellis was convicted of the charges but the ruling was overturned by the state's highest court in November when it was found that Ellis didn't get a fair trial.

Find out what's happening in Decatur-Avondale Estatesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

He was replaced by interim CEO Lee May, but Ellis briefly returned to office late last year. Ellis' term ended on Dec. 31. The next day, Mike Thurmond took over as steward of the county's $1.3 billion budget.

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