A well-known east Alabama lawyer and former state senator has been taken off the state court appointment list.

Seventh Judicial Circuit Court Presiding Judge Shannon Page issued an administrative order barring attorney Doug Ghee, 78, from being assigned to indigent defense cases.

The order does not apply to cases in which Ghee is acting as retained counsel.

The Seventh Judicial Circuit covers Calhoun and Cleburne counties.

Additionally, the order gives judges permission to remove themselves from any of Ghee’s current cases. Four judges have recused themselves from all of Ghee’s cases – Judge Page, Judge Jennifer Weems, Judge Tom Wright, and Judge Tim Burgess.

The order does not give a reason for Ghee’s removal from the appointment list, and Page said he couldn’t further discuss the issue at this point.

The order was issued in late July.

Also in late July, Calhoun County Sheriff Matthew Wade confirmed that an investigation is underway into an alleged incident in the Calhoun County Jail involving an attorney and a female inmate.

Wade said he could not identify the attorney, but said the investigation is ongoing by the sheriff’s office and the Alabama Attorney General’s Office.

”Until the investigation is completed, we are unable to discuss the circumstances,’’ Wade said. “As sheriff, I am committed to find the truth and pursuing justice.”

Ghee did not immediately request a call seeking comment about the judge’s order.

Ghee began a lawyer in 1975 and served in the Alabama Legislature from 1990 through 1998.