Governor Deal suspends indicted county CEO

ATLANTA - Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has announced he'll suspend indicted DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis.

The announcement at the state Capitol during a press conference Tuesday afternoon came a day after a three-person panel voted unanimously to recommend suspension for Ellis.

A 15-count grand jury indictment charges Ellis with trying to extort campaign contributions from companies and their employees. Prosecutors allege Ellis instructed the county's director of purchasing and contracting to prevent some companies from getting business because they didn't contribute to his campaign.

Ellis has denied any wrongdoing.

Deal says DeKalb County Commissioner Lee May will serve as interim County CEO and that Ellis' suspension is effective immediately. Deal says Ellis will remain suspended until his court case has been resolved or his term expires.