A former Georgia attorney general claims a pay deal between an Atlanta attorney and a Middle Georgia prosecutor violates state law and appellate rulings by giving them a financial stake in bringing criminal prosecutions and civil forfeiture cases.

Former AG Mike Bowers and law partner Christopher Anulewicz have filed a motion to disqualify Atlanta attorney Michael Lambros and David Cooke Jr., district attorney for the Macon Judicial Circuit, in a criminal case against a Peach County couple. The defendants are Ronnie Bartlett, 73, and his 76-year-old wife, Lee—owners of a now-defunct restaurant, Captain Jack’s Crab Shack.