The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has started a probe into whether state Senator Don Balfour committed any crimes when he illegally claimed official expense pay.

GBI spokesman John Bankhead said the agency opened its investigation after receiving a request from Attorney General Sam Olens on Aug. 22. The Republican lawmaker from Snellville has not been charged with any crimes.

The Senate Ethics Committee fined Balfour $5,000 last month for illegally accepting pay for in-state work and travel on days when he was outside Georgia. He also incorrectly recorded some of his in-state travels.

Balfour has said the errors were mistakes. His attorney, Robert Highsmith, said Tuesday that Balfour did not commit any crimes.

Tags: GBI, state Senator Don Balfour, expense pay, investigation in-state work