FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
May 8, 2014
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Alabama Attorney General
Claire Haynes (334) 242-7351
Page 1 of 1
AG ANNOUNCES FELONY THEFT CONVICTION
OF FORMER MADISON COMMISSION EMPLOYEE
(MONTGOMERY)–Attorney General Luther Strange announced the theft
conviction today of a former public employee of the Madison County Commission.
Deborah Kay Sims, 59, of Gurley, pleaded guilty to first-degree theft. She is to pay $154,673
in restitution for funds stolen from the Madison County Commission, and sentencing is set
for June 20.
According to information stated by prosecutors at today’s hearing in Madison
County Circuit Court, Sims had access as an employee of the Madison County Commission
to public funds in the Madison County Fishing Rodeo account. She wrote checks and used a
charge card to obtain cash and personal items that she kept for herself.
After irregularities were noticed in this account, Madison County Commissioners
requested a special audit by the Examiners of Public Accounts and also sent the matter to
the Alabama Ethics Commission. Both agencies referred the matter to the Attorney
General’s Special Prosecutions Division, which conducted an investigation along with the
Ethics Commission.
The Attorney General’s Special Prosecutions Division presented evidence to a
Madison County grand jury on March 11, resulting in Sims’ indictment and leading to
today’s conviction. Sims faces a potential penalty of two to 20 years imprisonment and a
fine of up to $30,000 for the class B felony.
“This defendant abused her public trust to steal more than $150,000 from a public
fund, and I am pleased that we are recovering the stolen funds for the citizens of Madison
County,” said Attorney General Strange. “Today’s conviction should send a message to all
public employees that they will be held to account if they steal taxpayers’ money.”
Attorney General Strange commended Assistant Attorney General Bill Lisenby and
Special Agents of his Special Prosecutions Division, and thanked employees of the Madison
County Commission, the Examiners of Public Accounts and the Alabama Ethics
Commission.
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501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us
