Federal prosecutors investigating Gov. Deal’s ethics probe – CBS Atlanta News

ATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) –

As a former federal Paul Monnin knows the ins and outs of grand jury subpoenas. Monnin was a public corruption prosecutor at the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

“Typically the only time the grand jury subpoenas are issued is if you’ve exhausted other investigative avenues, having someone wear a wire, potentially looking at search warrants,” said Monnin.

At least five current and former officials with the state ethics department received federal subpoenas Wednesday.

Deal was cleared of major violations, instead of having to pay a $70,000 fine, in July 2012, he agreed in a settlement to pay a roughly $3,000 fine.

“You’re not dealing with the amount of money, you’re not dealing with the public official, although an important consideration, but you are dealing with the act or the integrity of the process,” Monnin said.

Brian Robinson, a spokesman for Gov. Deal said no one in the his office received a subpoena. Subpoenas for three state ethics officials request documents related to Deal’s ethics investigation be reported to the grand jury on Jan. 14.

via Federal prosecutors investigating Gov. Deal’s ethics probe – CBS Atlanta News.