FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
August 12, 2015
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 FELONY ETHICS CONVICTION
OF FORMER AUTAUGAVILLE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
CHIEF ERNEST STOUDEMIRE
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Luther Strange announced the conviction
today of a former fire chief for the Autaugaville Volunteer Fire Department for felony
violation of the ethics law. Ernest Stoudemire, 52, pleaded guilty to using his office for
personal gain. Sentencing is set for September 22.
Stoudemire’s conviction was based on evidence that he and the former assistant
fire chief, Mack Harmon, solicited a $1,000 donation for the department, but instead
kept the money for themselves. No one else in the Fire Department knew of this
transaction, and the chief and assistant chief were not authorized to take the money for
their personal use. Harmon was convicted in July of 2014 for use of his office for
personal gain.
“These are serious crimes and are part of an extensive pattern of betrayal of the
public trust in Autaugaville,” said Attorney General Strange. “My Special Prosecutions
Division has conducted a thorough investigation and prosecution to ensure that the
citizens of this town can have confidence in their public servants.”
In a related case, former Autauga County Commissioner Danny Chavers, who
also was a former chief of the Autaugaville Volunteer Fire Department and former head
of the Autaugaville Water Works, pleaded guilty in March of 2014 to theft and use of
his office for personal gain at the Fire Department.
Attorney General Strange commended those involved in bringing these cases to
a successful conclusion, noting in particular Assistant Attorney General Bill Lisenby of
his Criminal Trials Division, Deputy Attorney General Pete Smyczek of his Special
Prosecutions Division, and Special Agents of the Special Prosecutions Division.
–30–
501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us
