ATLANTA - The state is investigating a second former state senator to determine whether he improperly accepted fees for helping prisoners. <br>
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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that documents released Tuesday show that the state Board of Pardons and Paroles last month ordered former Senator Roy Allen II of Savannah to stop accepting money. <br>
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Allen - a parolee - is accused of taking fees in exchange for presenting inmates' requests for early release. <br>
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State law says only licensend lawyers can receive payment for appearing or practicing before the parole board. <br>
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Allen founded a non-profit prisoner advocacy organization while serving time in prison for swindling his law clients. He said during an interview that he takes no money for parole matters. <br>
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He says the only payment he accepts is for research and other expenses involved in work he does as a paralegal. He says he heard from the board after writing to explain his project's activities. <br>
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Another former state senator, Ralph David Abernathy III, faces a hearing before the board today after being accused of violating his parole on forgery and theft convictions by acccepting money to help prisoners.
