Former state Senator Abernathy faces hearing on parole violation

ATLANTA - Former state Senator Ralph David Abernathy the Third goes before the statePardons and Paroles Board today for a preliminary hearing. <br> <br> The hearing is being held to determine whether the board should hold a full hearing later. <br> <br> Abernathy was arrested last month on charges of violating his parole. Abernathy served about a year of a four-year prison sentence for misappropriating state money. He is now suspected of taking money from friends and relatives of inmates to hirean attorney to seek their early release from prison. <br> <br> The paroles board says Abernathy is suspected of receiving $30,000 from a friend of one inmate and $5,000 from a family member of another. <br> <br> The hearing is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.