The city council in the Atlanta suburb of Johns Creek has voted to hire an outside lawyer to investigate its mayor.

Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker says the accusations against him are politically motivated.

The council voted 5-0 this week to hire the outside counsel.

City Councilman Randall Johnson said the action follows several reprimands of the mayor about what Johnson described as "questionable actions."

Bodker said tensions with the council peaked recently over his support of a project the council didn't support -- a proposal to turn an aging bridge over the Chattahoochee River into a pedestrian walkway.

Attorney Bob Wilson said his firm would be charging Johns Creek $185 an hour to conduct the investigation, and that he hoped to have it completed by August.

Tags: Johns Creek, mike bodker, johns creek city council