State investigates former state senator

ATLANTA - The state is investigating a second former state senator to determine whether he improperly accepted fees for helping prisoners. <br> <br> The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that documents released Tuesday show that the state Board of Pardons and Paroles last month ordered former Senator Roy Allen II of Savannah to stop accepting money. <br> <br> Allen - a parolee - is accused of taking fees in exchange for presenting inmates&#39; requests for early release. <br> <br> State law says only licensend lawyers can receive payment for appearing or practicing before the parole board. <br> <br> Allen founded a non-profit prisoner advocacy organization while serving time in prison for swindling his law clients. He said during an interview that he takes no money for parole matters. <br> <br> He says the only payment he accepts is for research and other expenses involved in work he does as a paralegal. He says he heard from the board after writing to explain his project&#39;s activities. <br> <br> Another former state senator, Ralph David Abernathy III, faces a hearing before the board today after being accused of violating his parole on forgery and theft convictions by acccepting money to help prisoners.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/10/188554