FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
December 21, 2016
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Alabama Attorney General
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Page 1 of 1
AG STRANGE ANNOUNCES ARREST OF FORMER MADISON
COUNTY DHR SENIOR SOCIAL WORKER FOR FELONIES
(MONTGOMERY)–Attorney General Luther Strange announced the arrest
today of a former Madison County Department of Human Resources senior social
worker for charges of first-degree theft, second-degree criminal possession of a
forged instrument, and an ethics law violation. Stephanie Harris Bell, 53, of
Hampton Cove, was arrested on December 16 and released on bond December 20.
Attorney General Strange’s Special Prosecutions Division presented evidence
to a Madison County grand jury, resulting in Bell’s indictment* on November 30.
Specifically, the indictment charges her with first-degree theft of more than $2,500
from the Madison County Department of Human Resources/Alabama Department
of Human Resources; second-degree possession of a forged instrument, specifically
a travel reimbursement request; and intentionally using her official position as a
senior social worker for the Madison County Department of Human Resources for
her personal gain.
No further information about the investigation or about Bell’s alleged crimes
other than that stated in the indictment may be released at this time.
If convicted, Bell faces a maximum penalty of 2 to 20 years’ imprisonment for
each of the theft and ethics charges, which are Class B felonies, and 1 year and 1 day
to 10 years’ imprisonment for second-degree criminal possession of a forged
instrument, which is a Class C felony.
Attorney General Strange thanked the special agents of the Alabama Ethics
Commission for their assistance.
*An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
–30–
501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us
