Georgia Supreme Court hearing on DeKalb Ethics Board challenge is Monday

Members of the DeKalb County Board of Ethics listen to testimony during a hearing on May 17, 2018. TIA MITCHELL/TIA.MITCHELL@AJC.COM

Members of the DeKalb County Board of Ethics listen to testimony during a hearing on May 17, 2018. TIA MITCHELL/TIA.MITCHELL@AJC.COM

The Georgia Supreme Court has set aside roughly an hour for oral arguments on the DeKalb Board of Ethics appeal of a ruling invalidating a majority of its members.

The hearing, scheduled for Monday at 10 a.m., will include testimony from Ethics Board lawyers arguing why the makeup of the board -- four members are appointed by outside groups -- should be allowed to stand. Superior Court Judge Asha Jackson ruled last year that state law requires these members to be chosen by elected officials.

VIDEO: Previous coverage on this issue

If the Supreme Court upholds Jackson’s order, it could ultimately invalidate actions taken by the board since then.

Members have continued to meet and hear cases while the appeal is pending. Thursday, the board unanimously agreed to levy a $9,000 fine against former county Commissioner Stan Watson on charges that he used county resources for campaign purposes and solicited money from county contractors on five occasions.

The Supreme Court’s oral arguments will be held at at the Cobb County Superior Court Ceremonial Courtroom, 70 Haynes St. in Marietta.