Burrell Ellis asks GBI to seize DeKalb County DA's computer

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County's embattled CEO wants the sheriff to seize the district attorney's computer and other electronics.
 
Suspended CEO Burrell Ellis' defense filed several motions late Friday. Ellis is currently facing 14 charges that include perjury.
 
Prosecutors say Ellis used his position to shake down vendors for campaign donations and stack selection committees.
 
The motion demanding the DA's computer and recording devices an informant used to secretly record Ellis and others the defense asked that the electronics be turned over to the GBI for a forensic evaluation.
 
Another motion requested a new trial date.  A judge recently set a June 2 trial date.  Ellis' team would like the proceedings push back into the fall.
 
Channel 2 Action News also learned documents we uncovered led DeKalb officials to investigate two current employees.
 
"DeKalb County is reviewing new information regarding present employees in the ongoing criminal case.  No conclusion has been reached at this time," a statement from a county spokesperson read.
 
One employee in question is Kelvin Walton. Court filings show Walton is the state's confidential informant. Leaders in the DA's office asked him to record a series of conversations.
 
The other employee is Ken Saunders.  Channel 2's Erica Byfield learned Saunders' works in the county's Watershed Management Department as the assistant director of Capital Improvement. 
 
A portion of the search warrant affidavit for Ellis' home shows investigators told a judge Ellis hand-picked Saunders for a selection committee.
 
The document goes on to say Saunders became upset during the selection process.
 
"Ken Saunders... definitely wanted the committee to recommend Montgomery Watson and Mr. Saunders behavior bordered on being belligerent," the affidavit read.

WSBTV