Panel to consider suspension of Ga. lawmaker

ATLANTA (AP) -- A panel will consider whether a Republican lawmaker accused of illegally claiming state pay should be suspended from office.

A grand jury indicted state Sen. Don Balfour in September on felony charges of making a false certificate, theft by taking and a count of false statement and writing. He's accused of illegally claiming legislative expense pay and double-billing the state and his private employer for at least one expense.

Balfour's attorney, Patrick McDonough, has said that Balfour did nothing criminal.

Two Republican state lawmakers and a retired Georgia Supreme Court chief justice will hold a hearing Monday morning on whether Balfour should be suspended from office while his criminal case is pending. Balfour is a Republican from Snellville.

The panel has until Friday to make a decision.