FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
February 24, 2012
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Alabama Attorney General
Suzanne Webb (334) 242-7351
Page 1 of 1
AG ANNOUNCES INDICTMENT OF FORMER STATE HEAD START
COLLABORTION DIRECTOR FOR FELONY THEFT, ETHICS CHARGES
(MONTGOMERY)–Attorney General Luther Strange announced the arrest
yesterday of a Montgomery woman for felony theft and ethics charges related to her
former position as Director of the Head Start Collaboration Office for the Alabama
Department of Children’s Affairs. Linda Hampton, 62, surrendered to agents of the
Attorney General’s Office at the Montgomery County Detention Center.
Attorney General Strange’s Office presented evidence to a Montgomery
County grand jury, resulting in Hampton’s indictment* on February 21. Specifically,
the indictment charges Hampton with:
One count of second-degree theft of between $500 and $2,500 from the State of
Alabama; and
Three counts of intentional use of her public position for the personal gain of
money to herself or a family member.
No further information about the investigation or about Hampton’s alleged
crimes other than that stated in the indictment may be released at this time.
If convicted, Hampton faces a maximum penalty of two to 20 years and a fine
of up to $30,000 for each of the three ethics counts, which are class B felonies; and
one year and a day to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $15,000 for the
charge of second-degree theft, which is a class C felony.
Attorney General Strange commended those involved in this case, noting in
particular Assistant Attorney General Pete Smyczek of the Attorney General’s
Public Corruption and White Collar Crime Division and Special Agents assigned to
the Attorney General’s Investigations Division.
*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
