GOP elections official arrested for siphoning thousands in public funds

Geneva County Circuit Clerk Ashley Powell has been charged with violating the state ethics law by using her office for personal gain, announced Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall on Friday.

AL.com reports the indictment alleges Powell, 52, illegally paid herself more than $93,000 out of public funds, a Class B felony. In convicted, Powell could face up to 20 years in prison.

Investigators say Powell shattered the public trust by using her official position for personal gain when she illegally routed public funds directly to herself. Her arrest was expected as Powell had been barred from the office months ago. Powell was ordered to turn in her keys in March.

Investigators did not disclose the nature of manner in which Powell allegedly paid herself with public funds.

In 2023, Judicial Circuit Chief Judge William Filmore appointed Powell to fill out the remainder of the term of former Geneva County Circuit Clerk Gale Laye. At the time, local news channel WDHN reported Powell had served with the circuit clerk’s office for seven years and “has performed all roles of the office including bookkeeping and making sure all court documents are properly filed.”

Powell told WDHN that she planned to run for Geneva County Circuit Clerk as a Republican in the 2024 election.

Alabama WTVY News Channel 4 reports another potential issue could be Powell in her job as clerk, considering she serves an important role in the election process, especially with elections only a few months away.

Geneva County Circuit Clerk Ashley Powell faces a Class B felony charge for allegedly paying herself over $93,000 in public funds.

State officials barred Powell from her courthouse duties in March after initial audits flagged missing local accounts. Following her suspension, Powell retained defense counsel as state prosecutors began presenting financial records to a grand jury. Local courts appointed an acting administrator to maintain daily clerk filings and manage local election preparations. Local political leaders expressed concern over how this scandal might influence public confidence, particularly as local committees scramble to stabilize the regional ticket ahead of the fast-approaching voting deadlines.

Many Republican voters in the South and in red states are feeling less passionate about elections, particularly with President Donald Trump’s plummeting poll numbers and voter discontent with his policies. Trump’s war on Iran is dragging on and blasting fuel and grocery prices higher as the nation slides into the midterms.

The steady drumbeat of Trump’s corruption appears to be contributing to the party’s general malaise.