Local

Embattled DeKalb CEO gets 24-hour protection outside home

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County's embattled CEO now has 24-hour protection outside his Stone Mountain house.

Channel 2 Action News has learned county leaders decided to station an officer in a marked car in the neighborhood following a raid at the property launched by the district attorney's office earlier this month. 
 
A county representative said public safety officials made the change because there has been an increase in traffic near CEO Burrell Ellis' house since the highly publicized raid.
 
"It was a public safety decision, and an officer will remain there for the foreseeable future until circumstances warrant a change," said DeKalb spokesman Burke Brennan.
 
But a man who lives on Ellis' street told Channel 2's Erica Byfield he hasn't seen a change in the traffic patterns.
 
"There hasn't been any unnecessary traffic over here that I've noticed," said Abner Ralliford-Tucker.
 
On Jan. 7, investigators from the DeKalb District Attorney's Office hauled boxes and computers from the CEO's home and office.
 
The raid was in connection to a DeKalb County Watershed Management investigation. During the search, Ellis was in court testifying about the same investigation. Authorities want to know what role, if any, Ellis has played in any contracts given out by the county. 
 
Ellis already had a security detail, but the officers stationed outside his house are not a part of that detail.
 
A county representative said the officers at Ellis' home are not costing taxpayers any extra money.

http://bcove.me/t78trq0b

Click here to watch this video on the Channel 2 Action News iPad app.