Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes was indicted on ethics, theft and perjury charges, accused of using his office for personal gain, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced this morning.
Hughes, of Auburn, is accused of violating the state ethics act, conspiracy to commit first-degree theft and first-degree perjury, a statement from Marshall’s office said.
Accusations against Hughes include paying private attorneys with public funds to settle a matter that benefited himself and his wife, illegally hiring his three children to work for the Lee County District Attorney’s Office and illegally using the authority of his office for his personal benefit by issuing a district attorney’s subpoena to a private business to gather evidence for his defense to potential criminal charges, the AG’s office said.
The five violations of the state ethics act charged in the indictment are Class B felonies, each punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $30,000. The charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree theft and first-degree perjury are Class C felonies, each punishable by one year and one day to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
The Opelika Auburn News reported that Hughes turned himself in on Sunday and posted a $31,000 bond. He is expected to make a statement later today.