Marlow may face suspension – The Cherokee Ledger-News: Top Stories

Cherokee County District 1 School Board Member Kelly Marlow has the option to suspend herself from the Cherokee County Board of Education or risk being suspended by the governor, following a Cherokee County Grand Jury indictment.

According to state law, once an elected official is indicted on felony charges and the prosecuting district attorney submits a certified copy of the indictment to the governor’s office, the elected official has 14 days to put him/herself on suspension, according to Sasha Dlugolenski, press secretary for Gov. Nathan Deal.

Cherokee County District Attorney Shannon Wallace said Oct. 16 that she has “complied with OCGA 45-5-6 and sent the governor a certified copy of the indictment against Ms. Marlow.”

Dlugolenski confirmed to the Ledger-News that the governor’s office received the certified copy of the indictment Oct 16, starting the 14-day period.

The Ledger-News reached out by email to Marlow last week to see if she plans to suspend herself. She did not respond.

Marlow was indicted on Oct. 15 on four felony counts of making false statements.

If Marlow does not suspend herself during this 14-day period, a special commission will be formed.

Dlugolenski said the commission will be made up of the attorney general and two school board members from anywhere in the state.

The commission will have 14 days to look into the matter and determine whether or not the felony indictment directly relates to Marlow’s ability to do her job as the District 1 school board member. If the commission recommends suspension, the governor accepts the recommendation and suspends the elected official, Dlugolenski said. That suspension lasts until the end of the term or the final disposition of the case, whichever comes first.

During a suspension period, Marlow still can collect her pay, Dlugolenski said. Also during the suspension period, the local school board has the ability to appoint someone to fill the seat, if local law prescribes.

via Marlow may face suspension – The Cherokee Ledger-News: Top Stories.