Grand jury clears Bannister

LAWRENCEVILLE - A special county grand jury investigating land deals in Gwinnett County declined to indict former Commission Chairman Charles Bannister on a charge of making false statements.

The documents were released on Monday.

Superior Court Judge Michael Clark Monday ordered that any presentments by the grand jury related to Commissioner Kevin Kenerly remain sealed until Oct. 22.

Court documents released Monday indicate the jury considered a charge of making false statements against Bannister, who appeared before the grand jury on Friday before resigning the chairmanship.

The panel began investigating county parkland purchases after The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on five purchases that were based on questionable appraisals.