Newly-Elected Georgia Rep Steps Down After Drug Arrest

WINDER, Ga. (AP) — A Republican arrested after successful his race for a seat within the Georgia Space has determined to step apart as a substitute of going through a imaginable suspension once he used to be sworn into place of business later this month,

The verdict by means of Danny Rampey manner a distinct election shall be hung on Jan. 31 to make a choice the brand new consultant for the Space seat primarily based round Winder, The Atlanta Magazine-Charter reported.

Rampey, 67, used to be arrested final month after investigators mentioned he stole prescription narcotics on the retirement advanced he manages.

Republican leaders have been pressuring Rampey to step apart prior to new legislators are sworn in on Jan. 9 since the particular election to fill the seat would most effective be for Republicans since Rampey didn’t have a Democratic opponent in November’s election.

Rampey’s withdrawal ”will be certain his constituents have a voice on this consultation of the Common Meeting after the particular election is held,” mentioned Space Speaker Jan Jones and incoming Space Speaker Jon Burns in a joint observation to the newspaper.

The newspaper couldn’t achieve Rampey’s legal professional.

Rampey used to be charged in Barrow County with six counts of acquiring medicine by means of misrepresentation or robbery, six counts of exploiting an elder or disabled grownup, 5 counts of housebreaking and one rely of drug ownership.

Rampey and his circle of relatives personal a sequence of private care properties in northeast Georgia. Government mentioned they started investigating him after lacking prescription narcotics have been reported.