FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS ADVISORY
July 7, 2016
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Alabama Attorney General
Page 1 of 1
AG STRANGE ANNOUNCES THAT COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS UPHOLDS
CONVICTION FOR FILING FRAUDULENT DOCUMENTS AGAINST PUBLIC OFFICIALS
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Luther Strange today announced that the
Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals has affirmed the conviction of William Peter Witwicki
for four counts of filing fraudulent documents against public officials.
Witwicki was convicted by a jury on March 17, 2015, following a two-day trial. The
Attorney General’s Criminal Trials Division presented evidence showing that he and a co-
defendant filed fraudulent liens against two circuit judges, a sheriff, and a circuit clerk. The
fraudulent documents directed these public officials to pay Witwicki $89.2 million in silver
coins. Expert testimony was presented that linked characteristics of the fraudulent
documents with the sovereign citizens movement, which advocates using certain phrases to
declare their sovereignty and that no state court has jurisdiction over them.
“The actions of these men were an attempt to intimidate and defraud public officials
and to interfere with their carrying out their sworn duties,” said Attorney General Strange.
“These are serious crimes that warrant a stern penalty. The State of Alabama will not allow
so-called ‘sovereign citizens’ to impede our lawful government.”
Witwicki subsequently sought to have his conviction reversed on appeal. The
Attorney General’s Criminal Appeals Section handled the case during the appeals process,
arguing for the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals to affirm the conviction. The Court did
so in a decision issued on Friday, July 1.
Attorney General Strange commended Assistant Attorney General Robin Scales of the
Attorney General’s Criminal Appeals Section, as well as Assistant Attorneys General
Ternisha Miles Jones and John Hensley of the Criminal Trials Division, for their successful
work in this case.
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501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.alabama.gov
