FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
March 2, 2012
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Alabama Attorney General
Suzanne Webb (334) 242-7351
Page 1 of 1
AG ANNOUNCES FELONY THEFT, ETHICS INDICTMENT
OF FORMER COURT CLERK FOR THE TOWN OF ARGO
(MONTGOMERY)–Attorney General Luther Strange announced the
arrest today of a former court clerk of Argo for felony charges of first-degree
theft and an ethics law violation. Myrtle Norton, 75, of Odenville, Alabama
surrendered to the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office on March 1 and was
released on $5,000 bond.
Attorney General Strange’s Office presented evidence to a St. Clair
County grand jury on February 28, resulting in Norton’s indictment.
Specifically, the indictment charges Norton with two counts of first-degree
theft of checks or currency that was the property of the Town of Argo in excess
of $2,500; and, with one count of violating the ethics law by intentionally using
her official position as a Town of Argo public employee for the unlawful
personal gain of currency or checks which were the property of the Town of
Argo.
No further information about the investigation or about Norton’s
alleged crimes other than that stated in the indictment may be released at
this time.
If convicted, Norton faces a penalty of two to 20 years of imprisonment
and fines of up to $30,000 for each of the three charges, which are class B
felonies.
Attorney General Strange commended those involved in this case,
noting in particular Assistant Attorney General Bill Lisenby Jr., Assistant
Attorney General Peter J. Smyczek and Deputy Attorney General Michael B.
Duffy, all of the Attorney General’s Public Corruption and White Collar
Crime Division and Special Agents assigned to the Attorney General’s
Investigations Division.
*An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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501 Washington Avenue Montgomery, AL 36104 (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us
