Jury acquits Balfour of all charges

ATLANTA (AP) A jury has acquitted a state lawmaker accused of illegally claiming mileage and expense reimbursement from the state.

The Fulton County jury on Thursday found Sen. Don Balfour not guilty on all 18 felony counts against him. The Snellville Republican was indicted in September on charges of making a false certificate, theft by taking and a count of false statement and writing.

He was accused of illegally claiming legislative expense and mileage pay and double-billing the state and his private employer for some expenses.

Balfour's lawyers had said he was being unfairly targeted for inadvertent mistakes.

Balfour previously agreed to pay a $5,000 fine levied by the Senate Ethics Committee for accepting pay for in-state work and travel on days when he was elsewhere.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2013/12/269061