Jamiesfeast – An announcement made on Monday by the state’s attorney general revealed that an Alabama state judge has been arrested and charged with using taxpayer money for personal purchases and vacation trips.
Circuit Judge Gilbert Self, a 61-year-old resident of Florence, Alabama, is currently facing multiple charges. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has accused him of using his position for personal gain, both for himself and his family members. Additionally, Judge Self is also facing charges of making false representations to accountants and perjury.
The presiding judge of the state’s Eleventh Judicial Circuit, Self, turned himself in to authorities at the Lauderdale, Alabama County Sheriff’s Office, according to a statement from the attorney general.
According to Sheriff Joe Hamilton, the judge was able to secure his release by posting bonds amounting to $75,000.
According to Marshall, Self was arrested following an indictment that was issued after investigators finished their probe into the judicial administration and law library funds in Lauderdale County.
According to the indictment, Self was involved in illegal activities from April 2020 to February 2023. During this time, he allegedly used over $50,000 of public funds to hire his son and make personal purchases, including a sofa, alcoholic beverages, and eyeglasses.
He is facing allegations of using public funds to reimburse himself for various vacations. These include a ski trip to Montana, a beach trip, a cycling trip across three states, and a visit to St. Ignace, Michigan.
Marshall leveled the same accusation against the judge, claiming that he had reimbursed himself for travel expenses related to events in Reno, Nev., Duck Key, Fla., Mackinac Island, Mich., and Alabama, despite not actually attending them.
During the grand jury testimony earlier this month, Self has been accused of making a false statement.
If he is found guilty, he could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison and be required to pay a fine of $30,000 for each of the 16 ethics charges. In addition, he may face up to 10 years in prison and a $15,000 fine for the false statements and perjury counts, according to Marshall.