Analyst: Bar investigation could cost Ralston speaker seat

ATLANTA — Georgia House Speaker David Ralston is facing potential disbarment after state bar investigators say he broke professional conduct rules.
 
Channel 2's Tony Thomas talked to experts Friday that said the allegations could affect Ralston's political career.
 
Ralston not only faces a general election later this year but also potential challenges to his position as speaker at the state Capitol.
 
But now trouble at the state Supreme Court has Ralston facing professional misconduct charges that could come to a head just as the elections are held.
 
Outside Ralston's capitol office, things appear calm, but behind the scenes, the wheels are turning.
 
Ralston's legal and political future hangs in the balance after the Georgia State Bar filed a petition Thursday, accusing the speaker of the house of violating nine professional rules as an attorney. Ralston could ultimately be disbarred.
 
"If the allegations are proven factually to be accurate and true, he is in danger of losing the speakership at the least," said Channel 2 Action News political analyst Bill Crane.
 
Crane said Ralston's position could survive, depending on many of the unknown facts behind the allegations.
 
Paul Chernak and his wife filed the original complaint, insisting Ralston put his legislative duties ahead of his legal practice and their 2006 injury accident case.
 
"It's been a nightmare," Chernak told Thomas. "It's just destroyed us, financially. We are vehicleless. We have nothing left."
 
State bar investigators accuse Ralston of misconduct, -- refusing to give the case to another lawyer when he was busy, and the biggest potential allegation includes commingling client funds.
 
The Chernak's current attorney showed Thomas checks Ralston wrote to the couple totaling $22,000 in advance of a settlement.
 
The Chernaks say they were paid 12 times after lodging complaints.
 
Ralston so far has not spoken publicly about the accusations. His camp was working on making someone available to speak on his behalf, but so far that has not happened.
 
His spokesperson did release a statement Thursday night that said, in part, "The speaker takes any charges about his professional conduct as an attorney seriously. ... He will continue to vigorously defend his professional reputation against these accusations."