GBI to investigate arrest of Gwinnett comm. chairman

LAWRENCEVILLE - The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says it will investigate the arrest of Gwinnett County Commission chairman Charles Bannister.

GBI spokesman John Bankhead said Friday that Gwinnett County sheriff Butch Conway asked GBI Director Vernon Keenan to request an investigation. Bankhead says the investigation will begin next week.

Bannister was charged with drunken driving Monday night even though a breath test showed he had no alcohol in his system. Results of a blood test analyzed by the GBI confirmed Bannister had no alcohol in his blood.

Bannister's attorney has questioned the conduct of the sheriff's deputies involved in the arrest. He asked Conway for an independent investigation.