ATLANTA – House Speaker David Ralston said in a blistering speech Monday that he will instruct a bipartisan group to reevaluate a state law that allows attorney-lawmakers to delay court cases after he was accused of abusing that same law.

“I am not defensive, angry or paranoid, but an examination of all the facts causes me to reject in the strongest possible way any accusation or insinuation that I have abused or misused my position,” Ralston said, speaking from the House floor.

His comments came after 10 Republican lawmakers backed a measure “encouraging” the Republican leader to step down from the role he has held since 2010, citing an Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Channel 2 investigation that found Ralston had repeatedly used “legislative leave” to delay his criminal court cases.

A century-old law lets attorney-lawmakers request a continuance during and immediately after a legislative session. The law was tweaked more than a decade ago to also apply to legislative conflicts throughout the year. State law gives priority to the attorney’s legislative responsibilities.

The AJC/Channel 2 story found that Ralston used the legislative privilege 57 times during a two-year period and that of the 93 days he said there was a conflict, most of them were outside of a legislative session.

Ralston used his remarks Monday to try to present a fuller picture, saying, for example, that not all the continuances were requested by him.

Ralston, who got emotional Monday, fired back at the media, radio pundits and his political adversaries. He dismissed the criticism as “a prop in a media hit piece or in a campaign ad.” Rep. David Clark, R-Buford, who has led the push for Ralston’s ouster, is reportedly considering a run for Congress.

“I will say this today that I have never – never – discussed legislative leave with a prospective client, nor have I benefited in anyway by the application of this law,” Ralston said.

But Ralston also said he felt compelled to address the concerns of those who were troubled by what they read or heard about him. He said he will not accept new criminal cases until four cases – the ones that received the most scrutiny, including at least one involving rape and molestation – are resolved.

He said he will also form the advisory group to study the state law at the center of the controversy and look at how other states with part-time legislators approach the issue.

As Ralston left the well, most of his colleagues stood and applauded.