A former Alabama sheriff who took $25000 to settle a personal loan pleaded guilty. According to court records, a former Alabama sheriff who resigned during an investigation into state impeachment has admitted to lying to a bank about a loan that was used to pay off personal loans in part.
William Ray Norris, a former sheriff of Clarke County, entered a guilty plea on Monday to one count of making a deceptive statement to Town County National Bank in Camden over a loan application for $75,000 that he made with his buddy and business partner, Danny Lee Beard Jr.
Norris diverted $25,000 of the loan’s proceeds from the intended purpose of buying heavy equipment to settle personal loans with the same bank.
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The bank president was aware of Norris’ plans but was unable to testify because of his death, according to Gordon Armstrong, a lawyer representing Norris.
“He had a long history of working with this bank, knew the president and the banker. However, he became a little sloppy with some of the documentation. But it has all been reimbursed. Therefore, at this time, it really is a victimless crime, “Armstrong said.
Beard was also charged and will go on trial next month.
The maximum punishment for Norris, who was first elected in 2010, was 30 years in prison. Also with a $1 million fine, but the prosecutors decided to show leniency.
Prior to the start of an impeachment trial last year for a number of alleged misdeeds, Norris resigned. In return, the state decided not to prosecute.
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