Georgia sheriff suspends self after indecency allegation

ATLANTA -- A Georgia sheriff recently arrested by an officer who accused him of exposing himself in a park has suspended himself for one week. 

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports DeKalb County Sheriff Jeff Mann emailed sheriff's office employees Tuesday, saying he imposed the maximum penalty for conduct that "has a tendency to destroy public respect." His suspension begins Saturday. 

"I cannot ask my employees to abide by a code of conduct unless I am willing to subject myself to it as well," Mann wrote in an email to DeKalb Sheriff's Office employees obtained by the paper. "In fact, I must be held to an even higher standard."    

Mann was arrested May 6 after an Atlanta police officer said Mann exposed himself in a park and led the officer on a chase. Mann faces charges of ordinance violations of indecency and obstruction. Mann said the suspension is not an admission of guilt.

A panel appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal is investigating Mann. Mann's attorney is asking a judge to stop that probe, saying he's not accused of official misconduct.