DA: GBI to investigate N. Ga. judge

CHATSWORTH, Ga. (AP) -- The district attorney in Murray County says the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has launched an investigation into a judge over allegations he pre-signed arrest warrants.

District Attorney Bert Poston said on Friday that he asked the GBI to investigate after meeting with an investigator from the state Judicial Qualifications Commission.

Bryant Cochran resigned Wednesday as the county's chief Magistrate Court judge. The newspaper reported Cochran issued a statement accepting responsibility for the pre-signed warrants that were left for officers to fill out when he was not around.

GBI Director Vernon Keenan said the allegations against Cochran were serious and "strikes at the heart of the criminal justice system."

A woman has also accused Cochran of propositioning her in his office. Cochran has denied her claims.