Jurors begin weighing fate of longtime Alabama sheriff
Jurors on Friday began deliberating charges against a longtime Alabama sheriff who took the stand to deny accusations that he took money from public and campaign accounts and gambled in casinos at taxpayer expense. Prosecutors and defense lawyers finished closing arguments in the corruption case against Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely, and jurors got the case around 2 p.m. News outlets reported the jurors were sent home for the weekend late Friday afternoon and will resume their deliberations Monday morning. Blakely faces charges of using his office for personal gain, theft of campaign funds, and taking money held by the sheriff’s office. He has continued working as sheriff since being indicted in 2019 on multiple charges but would automatically be removed from office with a felony conviction. Prosecutors began their closing arguments to jurors by stepping through allegations that the sheriff took thousands of dollars illegally, news outlets reported. “He swore an oath not just to enforce the law but to obey the law,” Kyle Beckman, a state assistant attorney general, told the jury. “He swore it 10 different times. Mike Blakely violated that oath.” Defense lawyer Robert Tuten told jurors that there is a simple explanation for each of these charges if they just look. Tuten said no money is missing and all of the accounts balance. “The criminal case against Sheriff Blakely died in the courtroom floor,” Tuten said in his closing arguments. Judge Pamela Baschab rejected a defense request to end the trial with a verdict of acquittal. Blakely, 70, testified Thursday about a series of transactions and checks that prosecutors say are evidence of wrongdoing, and the defense contends show nothing but normal campaign finances, news outlets reported. First elected in 1982 and rarely seen without boots and a cowboy hat, Blakely said he sometimes deposited campaign funds into his personal account because his campaign treasurer lived hours away and encouraged him to deposit the money as reimbursement for campaign expenses. While testimony showed Blakely sometimes left IOUs and took money from a jail safe used to hold inmates’ money, he said that wasn’t a crime. He also said nothing illegal occurred when county prisoners worked at a business where a part-owner gave him a check for $50,000. Blakely didn’t deny gambling at casinos during trips to the Gulf Coast and Nevada for law enforcement conferences, but he said the outings didn’t cost taxpayers extra and denied accusations that an employee sent him money because he was broke from losses. In one case, Blakely said, he asked an employee to send him money because he thought he might not have enough money to drive back to Alabama from Nevada. “Did you run short of money because you gambled in a casino?” asked defense lawyer Robert Tuten. “No, sir,” Blakely replied. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Longtime Alabama sheriff testifies in theft, ethics trial
A longtime Alabama sheriff on trial on theft and ethics charges took the stand Thursday to deny charges that could result in his removal from office after nearly four decades. Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely testified about a series of transactions and checks that prosecutors say are evidence of wrongdoing and the defense contends show nothing but normal campaign finances, news outlets reported. Blakely, 70, faces charges of using his office for personal gain, theft of campaign funds, and taking money held by the sheriff’s office. He has continued working as sheriff since being indicted in 2019 on multiple charges but would automatically be removed from office with a felony conviction. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Employees testify about loaning money to sheriff on trial
A clerk who works for an Alabama sheriff on trial on corruption charges testified she sent him $1,000 after he claimed to have lost money gambling at a casino when he was supposed to be at a law enforcement conference. Debbie Davis, who described herself as a longtime friend of longtime Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely, testified Wednesday as a reluctant witness for the state, news outlets reported. Blakely, 70, went to the gambling center of Biloxi, Mississippi, while he was on the Gulf Coast for a conference in Gulf Shores in 2016, testimony showed. Davis said Blakely called her from Biloxi and said it was no fun being there after losing all your money. Testimony about that trip continued Thursday, with a casino employee saying Blakely bought about $20,000 in chips over a few days and cashed in just $1,000. But the sheriff’s lawyer asked the employee if he knew Blakely won $975,000 playing the lottery weeks before the trip. Davis testified that she offered the sheriff money and he repaid it following the trip. Blakely is charged with violating state ethics law by asking Davis to send him the money, but she said they’d been friends before he became sheriff and she wired him the $1,000 because she wanted to do so. Under defense questioning, Davis testified she wasn’t aware that Blakely had been invited to play golf in Biloxi with three Limestone County commissioners. She told a prosecutor she didn’t want to see Blakely convicted. Lt. Johnny Morrell and Jeff Kilpatrick, who both work as sheriff’s office investigators, testified about a trip they took with Blakely to law enforcement in Las Vegas. Both testified they loaned money to the sheriff during the trip. “I would do it any day of the week,” Morrell said. Blakely has continued working as sheriff since being indicted in 2019 on multiple charges but would automatically be removed from office with a felony conviction. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Alabama sheriff’s trial resumes after question about witness
The theft and ethics trial of a north Alabama sheriff resumed Tuesday with testimony about the state’s ethics law after a judge considered questions about a state witness who also is under investigation. Cynthia Raulston, general counsel for the Alabama Ethics Commission, told jurors in Sheriff Mike Blakely’s trial about the law, which prohibits public officials from using their office for personal gain, news outlets reported. Another witness, former sheriff’s office clerk Romona Robinson, testified that money belonging to inmates was kept in a safe and that Blakely sometimes would ask for money and leave an IOU inside but not repay the amounts for an extended period. Earlier, Judge Pamela Baschab refused to throw out testimony from another witness who was revealed as being under investigation after he took the stand on behalf of the state. Trent Willis, a political consultant whose firm Red Brick Strategies worked for Blakely’s campaign in 2014, testified that an Athens attorney agreed to pay the $3,500 monthly charge to Red Brick on behalf of Blakely’s campaign. After getting checks from the lawyer for months, Red Brick received a $7,500 check from Blakely’s campaign account, evidence showed. Blakely later deposited a $4,000 refund check from Red Brick Strategies into his personal bank account, according to prosecutors, rather than sending the money to his campaign account. Before the defense could begin cross-examination, Deputy Attorney General Clark Morris told Baschab that Willis himself was under investigation. A defense lawyer said Willis was being reviewed in the theft of $100,000 from a campaign account of a state lawmaker, state Rep. Richie Whorton. While the defense claimed it didn’t know Willis was under investigation, prosecutors said Blakely’s lawyers actually knew about the review before them because different sections of the attorney general’s office are separated to prevent conflicts of interest. Baschab denied a defense request for a mistrial but told the prosecution and defense to file motions about Willis’ testimony before the trial resumed. She refused a defense request to tell jurors to ignore the testimony. Blakely, 70, has continued serving as sheriff since being indicted in 2019 on multiple charges. He would automatically be removed from office with a felony conviction. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Judge refuses to dismiss charges against Alabama sheriff
Testimony began in the corruption trial of a longtime Alabama sheriff Monday after a judge refused a defense request to throw out four charges alleging he stole thousands of dollars from his own campaign committee. Judge Pamela Baschab denied a request filed by Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely, and prosecutors immediately began calling witnesses who testified about the flow of money toward Blakely, who was first elected in 1983. News outlets reported Joyce Varnell, executive director of the Athens-Limestone Association of Realtors, testified that Blakely requested that a campaign donation that originated with a state realty fund be made out directly to him rather than his campaign account, called “Friends of Mike Blakely,” after the 2014 election. Clay Helms, the elections director for the secretary of state’s office, said all campaign contributions should go to accounts separate from the candidate’s personal finances. Candidates can’t put campaign money into a personal account unless it is reimbursement for a personal loan to the campaign, he said. Indicted on 13 counts in 2019, Blakely was accused by prosecutors during opening statements Friday of using money from his campaign and public accounts to cover personal expenses, and of pressuring employees for money. The first four counts of the indictment accuse Blakely, 70, of taking money from his campaign account. Blakely was the candidate and principal of the account, the defense argued, so he already had an interest in the money and can’t be convicted of stealing from the fund. The judge sided with prosecutors, who argued Blakely’s position could result in a bank teller who stole being acquitted of theft if the worker owned any stock in the bank. The state also said Blakely waited too long to seek dismissal of the charges and denied claims that state campaign laws in effect bar the theft charges. Aside from theft, Blakely is charged with using his office for personal gain and soliciting money from an employee. Blakely, who has continued working as sheriff, pleaded not guilty to all the charges and faces automatic removal from office if convicted of a felony. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Judge OKs media request for access to Alabama sheriff trial
A judge on Tuesday reversed course and will allow reporters to witness jury selection in the corruption trial of a longtime north Alabama sheriff. Retired Criminal Appeals Judge Pamela Baschab, who is presiding over the case against Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely, granted the request from media organizations. They included the Alabama Press Association and the Alabama Broadcasters Association, joined with newspapers and television stations. Baschab had initially barred reporters and the public from attending jury selection. Members of the public have a constitutional right to attend criminal court proceedings, the media groups said, adding that Baschab’s decision to hold jury selection “in secret is unconstitutionally overbroad.” Referring to reports that the judge closed the selection process for the comfort of potential jurors, media members argued that the judge failed to take less restrictive steps that could include asking potential jurors sensitive questions in her office. In office since 1983 and indicted in 2019, the 70-year-old Blakely has pleaded not guilty to a dozen felony counts alleging he stole campaign donations, got interest-free loans, and solicited money from employees. Deputies who work for Blakely were used to guard doors and keep the public and media members out of his trial, news outlets reported. The public presumably will be allowed once testimony begins. Blakely has continued to work since Alabama law doesn’t require that an indicted sheriff be suspended or removed. A felony conviction would result in his automatic removal from office. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Jury selection set to begin for trial of Alabama sheriff
A longtime Alabama sheriff accused on theft and ethics charges is set to stand trial nearly two years after he was indicted. Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday for Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely, who has continued to serve despite facing a dozen felony counts alleging he stole campaign donations, got interest-free loans and solicited money from employees. Blakely, 70, has pleaded not guilty and announced plans to seek an 11th term in office if acquitted. While state law doesn’t require the removal of a sheriff under indictment, a conviction would result in his automatic ouster from office. In office since 1983, Blakely is currently the state’s longest-serving sheriff. Court officials summoned roughly five times as many potential jurors as normal, about 500 people, because Blakely is so well known in the area, news outlets reported. Prosecutors have tried to tie charges that Blakely took money from public and campaign accounts to claims that Blakely drinks and gambles in out-of-state casinos. While the defense argued that such evidence is aimed at harming the sheriff’s reputation, a judge ruled previously that jurors would be allowed to hear it. Meanwhile, Judge Pamela Baschab barred the defense from presenting evidence to show that other public officials have done the same thing as Blakely without being charged. In a brief order, she agreed with prosecutors who claimed that an “everyone is doing it and the state is picking on me” defense can’t be presented to jurors. “Because past or present conduct of others is irrelevant to a determination of Blakely’s guilt or innocence, any evidence about them is inadmissible,” prosecutors from the state attorney general’s office argued in court documents. Attorneys have subpoenaed dozens of potential witnesses for the trial, which was delayed several times for reasons including the pandemic. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Alabama sheriff’s criminal trial set for July
A new trial date has been set for an Alabama sheriff who faces 11 theft and ethics charges. Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely was indicted in August 2019 on charges that included accusations of stealing from the sheriff’s office. He is accused of taking money from election campaign funds, Limestone County funds, and using his influence to obtain interest-free loans, authorities said. Court records show pretrial motions will be heard virtually on April 12. The case is set for trial at Limestone County Courthouse on July 12, multiple news outlets reported Thursday. Blakely, who is currently Alabama’s longest-serving sheriff, pleaded not guilty in 2019. He has remained in office pending the outcome of the case. A new judge was appointed to the case last month. The Alabama Supreme Court appointed retired appellate Judge Pam Baschab of Colbert County to preside. She replaced Judge Pride Tompkins, who recused himself over personal coronavirus concerns. The case was previously postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Judge approves juror questionnaire for Alabama sheriff
A judge will allow lawyers for a longtime Alabama sheriff indicted on theft and ethics charges to distribute a questionnaire to potential jurors. The Athens News Courier reports that Judge Pride Tompkins approved the request in the case against Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely. Prosecutors didn’t oppose the motion for a juror questionnaire. Aside from questions about employment history and military service, it would also include questions about political affiliations and experience with law enforcement. Blakely has pleaded not guilty, and his trial is set to begin March 9. Blakely has been sheriff of the north Alabama county for 36 years. He was arrested in August on charges that include accusations of taking thousands of dollars from campaign and law enforcement accounts. Blakely is free on bond and remains in office. Republished with the Permission of the Associated Press.
State seeks juror questionnaires in case against sheriff
Prosecutors want to ask potential jurors about an Alabama sheriff awaiting trial on multiple ethics and theft charges. The Athens News Courier reports that prosecutors have asked a judge for permission to distribute a questionnaire to potential jurors who could hear the case against Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely. The state is asking to focus on specific issues in Blakely’s case. Prosecutors also want to ask about Blakely’s status as sheriff, an office he has held for almost 37 years. Blakely’s trial is scheduled to begin March 9. Blakely was arrested in August on charges that include accusations of taking thousands of dollars from campaign and law enforcement accounts. He is free on bond and remains in office. Blakely has pleaded not guilty. Republished with the Permission of the Associated Press.
Sheriff Mike Blakely pleads not guilty to indictment
An Alabama sheriff says he is innocent of ethics violations and theft. News outlets report Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely pleaded not guilty during a hearing Tuesday. Blakely is free on bond and remains in office after being arrested in August on charges that include accusations of taking thousands of dollars from campaign and law enforcement accounts. The plea came days after Circuit Judge Pride Tompkins refused to dismiss an indictment against the longtime sheriff. The Decatur Daily reports that the defense argued in court papers that the state’s ethics law is unconstitutionally vague, but the judge disagreed. The 69-year-old Blakely has been sheriff of the north Alabama county since 1983. Any felony conviction would automatically strip him of office. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
