FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
October 27, 2011
For More Information, contact:
Luther
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Suzanne Webb (334) 242-7351
Page 1 of 2
Strange
Alabama Attorney
General
AG ANNOUNCES PRISON SENTENCE FOR MAN IN CONNECTION
WITH FORGED LETTER SAYING AG SUPPORTED HIS PARDON
(MONTGOMERY) – A Madison man has been sentenced to prison for crimes that
included possession of a forged letter which purported to be from the Attorney General’s Office
in support of the man’s pardon for previous crimes. Neal Mathias Reisel was sentenced
yesterday in Madison County Circuit Court to 10 years imprisonment for second-degree
possession of a forged instrument, as well as five years for third degree burglary, with both
sentences ordered to run concurrently.
The forgery case was prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office, and the burglary case
was prosecuted by the Madison County District Attorney’s Office. Reisel currently is being held
in the Limestone County Jail due to revocation of his parole for a prior robbery conviction there.
“A crime involving a forged official document is a serious offense because it threatens
the integrity and trust in which citizens hold documents of their government,” said Attorney
General Strange. “It is particularly outrageous that Reisel committed this additional crime in an
attempt to evade responsibility for previous crimes. I commend those involved in bringing this
defendant to justice, including Assistant Attorneys General Stephanie Billingslea, Bill Lisenby,
Pete Smyczek, Thomas Govan and Tina Coker, and special agents of the Attorney General’s
Investigations Division.”
The Attorney General’s Office presented evidence to a Madison County grand jury in
2008, resulting in an indictment charging that Reisel possessed or uttered a letter purporting to
be from a public office, public employee or government agency, with knowledge that it was
forged and with intent to defraud, in violation of Section 13A-9-6 of the Code of Alabama. He
pleaded guilty to the charge on February 2, 2011.
The document is a letter purportedly written to a Chicago attorney from the Attorney
General’s Opinions Division chief and on behalf of the Attorney General. The document was
allegedly sent to a potential employer by Reisel. It states that the Attorney General’s Office has
reviewed evidence, stipulates that Reisel did not participate in crimes with which he is charged,
and that the Attorney General’s Office “is here to work for Mr. Reisel to restore his good public
record.” The document further states that Reisel is entitled to a pardon, but because of the
unique situation, the pardon would not be reflected in Reisel’s record because a crime was
committed under his identity. The document offers as solutions a resolution by the Alabama
Legislature or a Presidential pardon, “for which this office will support you.” The document
concludes with a promise to “work our hardest to restore Mr. Reisel’s record to that of a law
abiding, dedicated, and service oriented Alabama resident.” The document is dated November
501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.alabama.gov Page 2 of 2
7, 2007. The recipient of the letter contacted the Opinions Division Chief and the resulting
investigation ensued.
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