Politics & Government

Grand Jury Indicts Ga. State Senator Don Balfour

Balfour, R-Snellville, has been indicted on 18 counts associated with misuse of his legislative expense account.

A grand jury has indicted State Senator Don Balfour, R-Snellville, on 18 counts.

The counts are related to the misuse of his legislative expense account, according to the Attorney General's office.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Gov. Nathan Deal will appoint a three-member panel to recommend whether or not Balfour should be suspended immediately.

Balfour represents parts of Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Snellville, Loganville, Grayson and Dacula.

Here's the official press release from Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens

On Tuesday, September 24, 2013, a Fulton County Grand Jury charged Donald K. Balfour, II, with 16 counts of Making a False Certificate (O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8), one count of Theft by Taking (O.C.G.A. § 16-8-1) and one count of False Statement and Writing (O.C.G.A. § 16-10-20). A certified copy of the indictment was received from Fulton County Superior Court this morning.

These charges stem from Balfour’s submission of Georgia General Assembly expense vouchers indicating that he was entitled to reimbursement for mileage and per diem expenses to which, it is alleged, he was not entitled. 

Making a False Certificate is punishable by one to five years imprisonment and/or up to a $1000 fine, Theft by Taking is punishable by one to ten years imprisonment and False Statement and Writing is punishable by one to five years imprisonment and/or up to a $1000 fine.

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Assistant Attorney General Laura Pfister and Senior Assistant Attorney General David McLaughlin are prosecuting the case on behalf of the State of Georgia. The case was investigated by Special Agent Wesley Horne and Forensic Auditor Laquintus Perry of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.


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