Office of the Attorney General: A.G. ANNOUNCES INDICTMENT OF CITY WORKER CHARGED WITH ETHICS VIOLATIONS AND THEFT

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

June 19, 2008

For More Information, Contact:
Joy Patterson 334.242.7491
Suzanne Webb 334.242.7351


(MONTGOMERY)—Attorney General Troy King announced the arrest of an equipment operator for the City of Andalusia who is charged with felony ethics violations and first-degree theft. Michael Andrew Johnson was arrested on June 16 by the Covington County Sheriff's Department and has been released on bond from the Covington County Jail.

Attorney General King's Office presented evidence to a Covington County grand jury on June 10, resulting in Johnson's indictment*. Specifically, the indictment charges Johnson with 12 counts of intentionally using his position as a public employee—Equipment Operator II for the City of Andalusia—for the unlawful personal gain of gasoline. In a 13th count, Johnson is charged with first-degree theft of gasoline valued at more than $2,500.

"As Attorney General, I am committed to protect taxpayers' funds," said Attorney General King. "If evidence indicates that someone has broken the laws of Alabama by misusing his or her position as a public employee for personal gain, my office will investigate and prosecute."

No further information about the investigation or about Johnson's alleged crimes other than that stated in the indictment may be released at this time.

If convicted, Johnson faces a maximum penalty of two to 20 years imprisonment and fines of up to $30,000 for each count of the class B felonies with which he is charged.

*An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.