FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
May 14, 2019
For media inquiries only, contact:
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Steve Marshall
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Page 1 of 1
Alabama Attorney General
Attorney General Steve Marshall Announces Indictment of Former
Washington County Revenue Commissioner and Treasurer of Public Park and
Recreation Board on 26 Felony Charges
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Steve Marshall announced the arrest of Laura Lee
(Lewis) Taylor, a former Washington County revenue commissioner and former treasurer of the
Public Park and Recreation Board of Washington County. Taylor, 68, of Washington County, is
charged with 26 felonies, including first-degree theft of property, identity theft, second-degree
criminal possession of forged instruments, and attempt to evade or defeat tax. Taylor turned
herself into the Washington County Sheriff’s Office on May 10.
Attorney General Marshall’s Special Prosecutions Division presented evidence to a Washington
County grand jury on May 6 and 7, resulting in Taylor’s indictment.
Specifically, she is charged with:
? one count of first-degree theft and nine counts of second-degree criminal possession of a
forged instrument for using her position as treasurer of the Park and Recreation Board
to steal more than $600,000 by issuing checks that were not authorized by the Board,
which she deposited or cashed herself;
? 10 counts of identity theft for using a Board member’s name and identifying information
to obtain loans in the Board’s name without approval of the Board member or the Board;
and
? six counts of attempt to evade or defeat tax for failing to pay income tax on the money
she stole.
No further information about the investigation or about Taylor’s alleged crimes may be released
at this time.
First-degree theft of property and identity theft are class B felonies punishable by two to 20
years in prison. Second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument is class C felony
punishable by one year and one day to 10 years in prison. Attempt to evade or defeat tax is an
unclassified felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
*An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven
guilty.
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501 Washington Avenue ? Montgomery, AL 36104 ? (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us
