An assistant attorney general told members of the jury in Sherrie Phillips’ trial that the former probate judge used portions of the $1.8 million she is accused of stealing “as if she had won the lottery.”
He said that the evidence will show that Phillips opened a personal account with a check for $1.8 million. He said the evidence also will show that between Jan. 22, 2008 and April 5, 2008, Phillips wrote 10 checks on the account “just like anybody who won the lottery.”
Those checks, which total $516,917.50, will be admitted into evidence, and include:
• checks to pay off loans
• a $25,000 check to her husband
• a $100,000 check to her brother
• a $100,000 check to herself written on the day after she purchased a Cadillac Escalade for more than $60,000
• a check to Andalusia Ford for $23,000; In the memo line of that check, Phillips wrote “Bud’s truck.” Buddy Phillips is Sherrie Phillips’ husband
Phillips later transferred money out of the personal account into a public funds account, and deposited four checks, including:
• a check from one of her brothers for $449,000
• a check from another of her brothers for $25,000
• a check from her husband for $12,000
• a check from herself for $32,000. Phillips apparently presented the $32,000 in cash
He said that the evidence will show that Phillips opened a personal account with a check for $1.8 million. He said the evidence also will show that between Jan. 22, 2008 and April 5, 2008, Phillips wrote 10 checks on the account “just like anybody who won the lottery.”
Those checks, which total $516,917.50, will be admitted into evidence, and include:
• checks to pay off loans
• a $25,000 check to her husband
• a $100,000 check to her brother
• a $100,000 check to herself written on the day after she purchased a Cadillac Escalade for more than $60,000
• a check to Andalusia Ford for $23,000; In the memo line of that check, Phillips wrote “Bud’s truck.” Buddy Phillips is Sherrie Phillips’ husband
Phillips later transferred money out of the personal account into a public funds account, and deposited four checks, including:
• a check from one of her brothers for $449,000
• a check from another of her brothers for $25,000
• a check from her husband for $12,000
• a check from herself for $32,000. Phillips apparently presented the $32,000 in cash
A 6-count indictment charges her with stealing from the estate of a man who died last year.
Phillips’ attorney encouraged the jurors to “keep an open mind.” “Every bit of the money was paid back before she was ever charged."
Full Article and Source:
Prosecutor: Phillips acted as if she had won lottery
More information:
Jury Selection Begins in Criminal Trial
Defense attorney: State must prove Phillips' intent
See also:
Petition to Reopen Estate
Judge Arrested on Ethics Charges
Probate Judge or Not
3 comments:
Just because she returned the money does not make it okay to take the money in the first place.
Shame on you, judge.
Thank you for this terrific blog - priceless -and thank you for keeping an eye on this case.
Unforgiveable.....Shameful and a disgrace to the judicial community and to society.
There is a special place in HELL for cowardly perps like Sherrie Phillips who use their position of trust for personal gain.
Former probate judge Sherrie Phillips’ attorney encouraged the jurors to “keep an open mind.” “Every bit of the money was paid back before she was ever charged".
I say: WHO CARES WHEN SHE RETURNED THE STOLEN FUNDS? THEFT IS THEFT....
And, I say: THIS IS A NO BRAINER, THE ONLY REASON the judge RETURNED THE STOLEN MONEY WAS THAT SHE KNEW SHE WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION!!!
No mercy, no leniency.
This crook earned a very HARSH PUNISHMENT, a very long prison sentence and a lifetime of dishonor.
Every bit of the money was paid back "before she was ever charged" -- hmmmm. Sounds like lawyer talk. Like maybe she got caught and decided if she paid back the money, the "justice" system would go easier on her. And now, her lawyer portrays her as ethical because she paid back the money?
It's going to take a lot more than that!
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