March 19 Franklin County received answers in a case that hit close to home. Former county administrator Crista Madden pleaded guilty to ethical violations during her tenure as administrator for Franklin County.

Madden pleaded guilty to two counts of an intentional ethics law violation – one for using her official position for personal gain and one for using official equipment for personal gain. Both are class B felonies, and she faces a penalty of two to 20 years for each. She must also pay full restitution of the $753,899 she stole from the county by way of these felonies.

After an audit revealed inconsistencies in the county’s finances, the Attorney General’s office had requested and seized financial records from the Franklin County Commission. Franklin County Probate Judge Barry Moore said he was quick to take action when the issue came to his attention.

“Several weeks ago, I was made aware of some discrepancies in our financial records that needed to be analyzed to check for any instances of wrongdoing. I immediately contacted the Department of Examiners and I, along with the rest of our staff, have cooperated fully with this investigation,” Moore said.

That investigation has now concluded with the arrest, bond and plea of Madden. This all took place March 19. According to Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver, her arrest occurred at around 9:30 a.m. She immediately bonded out. At around 1 p.m. she went before specially-appointed Circuit Judge Pride Tompkins.

“After being confronted by special agents, Madden gave a full confession to both offenses,” according to the attorney general’s office.

“As an employer, it is never easy to discover that someone who works for you has engaged in behavior that compromises the integrity of your business or office, which I know many people feel has happened in this instance,” Moore said. “The events that have taken place over the past few weeks have been very difficult for me personally as well as the county commission.”

According to the attorney general’s office, Madden began this scheme in December 2007 and continued it until July 2017, shortly before took a job as county administrator for Chilton County. She would create a false purchase order for a fictitious vendor and generate a check payable to that company. Before printing the check, she placed a strip of tape on the paper where the name for payee would be printed. For county records, she would make a copy of the check that showed the company name. She then removed the tape from the original and reprinted the check with her own name listed as payee. The check was then deposited into her personal account.

“I believe it was of the utmost importance and my duty to the citizens of Franklin County to set aside my personal feelings and any negative effects this could have on me professionally, especially in light of the upcoming elections, and make sure this instance of impropriety was investigated immediately and that the truth was brought to light,” Moore said.

Attorney General Steve Marshall reported the conviction Monday afternoon.

“The people of Alabama deserve honest and trustworthy service from public employees and officials, and as attorney general I am committed to prosecute those who abuse their positions for illegal personal gain,” said Attorney General Marshall. “For nearly a decade, Crista Madden systematically plundered funds that belonged to Franklin County and betrayed her public trust.”

Madden, who was represented by Ralph Holt, pleaded guilty on information, which means she pleaded guilty to a felony charge before it could be brought to a grand jury. She agreed to resign from her current position and never again take a role with a governmental agency in the state of Alabama.