‘I betrayed the trust:’ Limestone County judge writes letter admitting to crimes

Limestone County Judge Douglas Patterson is charged with use of official position or office for personal gain, financial exploitation of the elderly first-degree and theft third-degree.



In a letter obtained by WAAY 31, a judge in Limestone County who is supposed to uphold the law admitted he’s guilty of breaking it.

We confirmed Douglas Patterson wrote this letter and sent it to several other judges in the county.

Patterson is on paid leave after a grand jury indicted him for stealing from the county and exploiting the elderly. He is still getting paid his salary, which is almost $11,000 a month.

The typed letter was sent to Judge Baker on Dec. 17, which was less than a week after Patterson was charged.

Part of the letter we recieved in the mail is redacted.

People are frustrated especially after learning about Patterson’s letter.

"This is crazy. He admits everything. Every single thing. Disabled and elderly clients," says Katie Winton.

On Tuesday, WAAY 31 showed Winton, who lives in Limestone County, the letter Douglas Patterson sent admitting to his crimes.

"It's crazy to me. It's absolutely insane. I just..I mean i don't know. It's just absolutely crazy," says Winton.

In the letter dated 6 days after his indictment last month, Patterson admitted to what he called his "unethical, criminal, and reprehensible conduct".

He wrote, "I betrayed the trust placed in me by my disabled and elderly clients by stealing from their funds for which I owed a fiduciary duty and trust." He also stated, "I betrayed the trust of the people of Limestone County by stealing from funds belonging to them and placed under my control."

"I don't even have words honeslty, it's insane to me," says Winton.

The state Attorney General’s office wants this case fast tracked because it raises questions as to whether Patterson used his position as judge for personal gain and he's still receiving his salary.

"I would say so. If he's still being paid for that, he's admitted to everything that he's done I would say that is not right," adds Winton.

On Tuesday, we reached out Steven Haddock, a retired Morgan County judge, who was appointed to this case. He told me he's waiting to select an arraignment date based on the Limestone County Circuit Court's schedule.

We reached out to the Attorney General's office to see if they were aware of this letter and they told us no comment.

______________________________________

WAAY 31 was anonymously sent a letter written by Douglas Patterson, the Limestone County judge indicted on multiple charges.

In his letter to Limestone County Circuit Judge Robert Baker, Patterson writes about his "unethical, criminal and reprehensible conduct.” Three other recipients were Cc'd in the letter. One of the recipients has confirmed to WAAY 31 they did receive it.

Patterson is charged with use of official position or office for personal gain, financial exploitation of the elderly first-degree and theft third-degree.

In his letter, Patterson states, "I betrayed the trust placed in me by my disabled and elderly clients by stealing from their funds for which I owed fiduciary duty and trust."

He then goes on to say, "Then I betrayed the trust of the people of Limestone County by stealing from funds belonging to them and placed under my control."

Court documents say the state prosecutor in the case is asking for the trial to be fast tracked. They also show that while Patterson is suspended from serving as a judge and hasn't been hearing cases since September 2019, he is still receiving a paycheck until he is convicted or resigns.

If convicted, Patterson could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $30,000 each for the first two charges. He could also face up to five years in prison and a fine for the theft charge. 

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‘I betrayed the trust:’ Limestone County judge writes letter admitting to crimes 

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AG asks court to set hearing date for Limestone County judge indicted on theft, elderly exploitation charges

AG asks court to set hearing date for Limestone County judge indicted on theft, elderly exploitation charges

LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. -- The Alabama Attorney General's Office filed a motion asking the Limestone County Circuit Court to set an arraignment date for a judge who was indicted last month on multiple charges.

Limestone County District Court Judge Douglas Patterson was indicted Dec. 11 on charges of third-degree theft, financial exploitation of the elderly and using his position for personal gain.

According to the motion, the prosecution attempted pre-arraignment negotiations, but the effort was unsuccessful. Prosecutors said there is no reason to delay Patterson's arraignment to discuss a scheduling order.

The motion asks that a trial date be set for two reasons -- to notify the public if Patterson indeed abused his position or not and because he continues to get paid. State records show that as a district court judge, Patterson is being paid $5,400 every two weeks.

For fiscal 2019, that's a total of nearly $126,000. So far, in the fiscal year that began in October, while Patterson has not been on the bench, he's been paid at least $32,000.

Alabama has a process to investigate -- and if necessary -- remove a judge who violates judicial rules. The Judicial Inquiry Commission review process requires a formal complaint be filed -- which is not a public record residents can look at. After that, the commission would review if a judge has violated the judicial canons.  But, even during that process, up to and until a ruling from the Alabama Court of the Judiciary proceeding, the judge would still be eligible to be paid.

The motion goes on to say other Limestone County judges have to work extra to ensure important business proceeds as usual.

According to state law:

"A judge shall be disqualified from acting as a judge, without loss of salary, while there is pending (1) an indictment or an information charging him in the United States with a crime punishable as a felony under a state or federal law, or (2) a complaint against him filed by the judicial inquiry commission with the court of the judiciary."

Patterson was appointed a judge in 2016 by former governor Robert Bentley. Prior to that he worked as an attorney, including work as a conservator for incapacitated people,  the Alabama Attorney General's Office said.

Patterson is accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars by writing about 70 checks to himself from the Limestone County Juvenile Court Services Fund over a period of years. More than $47,000 that was supposed to go to juvenile programs and juvenile court staff among other things, prosecutors said.

Patterson also is accused of taking money before becoming a judge. According to the attorney general's office, Patterson took $47,800 from the conservatorship account of an elderly client. Over a six and a half year period, prosecutors said Patterson drained the account and left less than $200 in it when he was done. The client, who was living in a nursing home for military veterans, has since died.

Another person Patterson worked for as a conservator, also had between $499 and $1,500 taken from his estate's account after his death, prosecutors said.

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AG asks court to set hearing date for Limestone County judge indicted on theft, elderly exploitation charges

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Limestone County judge arrested for theft, elderly exploitation

Limestone County judge arrested for theft, elderly exploitation

LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. - Limestone County District Court Judge Douglas Patterson was booked into the Limestone County Jail on Thursday morning.

A sheriff's office spokesman confirmed that Patterson, 37, was booked on charges of third-degree theft, financial exploitation of the elderly and using his position for personal gain. The spokesman said Patterson was at the jail for about 30 minutes and posted $30,000 around 9 a.m.

Patterson was appointed a judge in 2016 by former governor Robert Bentley. Prior to that he worked as an attorney, including work as a conservator for incapacitated people,  the Alabama Attorney General's Office said.

Patterson is accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars by writing about 70 checks to himself from the Limestone County Juvenile Court Services Fund over a period of years. More than $47,000 that was supposed to go to juvenile programs and juvenile court staff among other things, prosecutors said.

Patterson also is accused of taking money before becoming a judge. According to the attorney general's office, Patterson took $47,800 from the conservatorship account of Charles Hardy. Over a six and a half year period, prosecutors said Patterson drained the account and left less than $200 in it when he was done. Hardy, who was living in a nursing home for military veterans, has since died.
Another person Patterson worked for as a conservator, Rudolph Allen, also had between $499 and $1,500 taken from his estate's account after his death, prosecutors said.

In all of the cases where money was taken, it was placed into accounts for Patterson's business, law firm or personal use, according to the attorney general's office.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said in a news release that Patterson's actions "debase the judicial system."

"The allegations contained in this indictment shock the conscience and illustrate a callous and selfish disregard for the law as well as the welfare of Alabama's most vulnerable citizens: children and incapacitated seniors," Marshall said.

Patterson faces up to 20 years in prison and up to a $30,000 fine for each charge of using his position for personal gain and financial exploitation of the elderly. He faces up to five years in prison and a $7,500 fine for the theft charge.

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Limestone County judge arrested for theft, elderly exploitation

Knox County judge Jennifer L. Springer arrested on DUI charge

MOUNT VERNON — A Knox County judge was arrested early Sunday morning on a drunk driving charge by the Ohio Highway Patrol.

Jennifer L. Springer, 44, of Mount Vernon, has been charged with first-degree misdemeanor operating a vehicle while under the influence and a minor misdemeanor stop sign violation, Mount Vernon Municipal Court records show.

Springer is judge of the Knox County Probate and Juvenile Court.

An alternate prosecutor

Mount Vernon Municipal Court Judge John Thatcher has recused himself from the case, a representative from the city clerk of court's office confirmed Wednesday. The Supreme Court of Ohio is expected to find a replacement judge sometime this week.

Mount Vernon Law Director Rob Broeren Jr. is also stepping away from the case.

"I am asking for another prosecutor to be appointed," Broeren confirmed Wednesday.

When will Springer be in court?

Springer is scheduled to be arraigned at 9:30 a.m. Friday, court records show. A court spokesman said Wednesday the arraignment should continue as scheduled, as a new judge and prosecutor should be in place by then.

Springer has not yet retained defense counsel, court records indicate.

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Knox County judge Jennifer L. Springer arrested on DUI charge

Rochester judge still suspended, will continue to get paid

In this June 8, 2017 frame from video provided by 13WHAM, Rochester City Court Judge Leticia Astacio, looks in the direction of her attorney during an appearance in a Rochester, N.Y., courtroom.

A Rochester City Court Judge will continue to get paid during her suspension, as she faces being removed from her job.

The State Court of Appeals affirmed the suspension of judge Leticia Astacio on Tuesday but allowed her to keep her salary, according to the Democrat & Chronicle.

Earlier this month, Astacio's lawyers submitted paperwork requesting that she continue to get paid. Her pay increased to $187,200 per year as part of a salary increase for city court judges across the state.

Astacio's attorney Robert Julian stated that other judges have done worse and received lesser punishment.

According to the D&C, Julian argued that "it would be a further prejudice for her to be deprived of pay in the interim where other judges in a similar circumstance were paid."

Astacio is currently on probation after she was originally charged with drunken driving in April 2016. She was sentenced to a conditional discharge, however, she was arrested again in November 2016 for attempting to start her vehicle after testing positive for alcohol on the ignition interlock device.

In May 2017, she skipped a court-ordered alcohol test and failed to appear, having departed for a lengthy trip to Thailand. She was sentenced to 60 days in jail and put on probation.

The Commission on Judicial Conduct voted to remove Astacio from office last month. She has until May 24 to appeal the Commission's decision.

Last month, Astacio also attempted to buy a shotgun from Dick's Sporting Goods. The store refused her. She was arrested and charged with a felony for trying to buy a gun, a violation of her probation.
The proceedings to remove Astacio from her judgeship began before the gun incident. 

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Rochester judge still suspended, will continue to get paid

After felony arrest, Rochester's Judge Astacio suspended with pay

ROCHESTER, NY (WROC) - Despite arrests, jail time and not showing up for work, Leticia Astacio continues to hold her position as a Rochester city court judge.

But, following her latest arrest, she has been suspended with pay by the Court of Appeals.

Astacio was arrested Tuesday after deputies say she attempted to buy a gun at Dick's Sporting Goods in Henrietta. Under the terms of her probation, Astacio is restricted from owning a firearm.

She is charged with attempted criminal purchase or disposal of a weapon -- a felony. Astacio has previously served jail time following a drunk driving conviction.

As result of the felony charge, News 8 is told the state Court of Appeals has the authority to suspend the judge without pay.

Astacio takes home a six-figure salary, recently got a mandated raise and continues to collect her paycheck despite not showing up for work. According to Judge Craig Doran, who is Astacio's supervisor, she has only been in the Hall of Justice once since August 31.

Judge Doran says he has done everything he can do in his power to deal with the situation. But, Astacio can only be removed from her ten-year term by a decision by the state Commission on Judicial Conduct.

BREAKING: Judge Leticia Astacio has been suspended with pay by the Court of Appeals. pic.twitter.com/J2WFwp5R7i

— News 8 - WROC-TV (@News_8) April 11, 2018

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After felony arrest, Rochester's Judge Astacio suspended with pay

Police: Judge among six people arrested in prostitution operation

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. - A Lee County Circuit Judge was among six people arrested in a prostitution operation, according to the Naples Police Department.

The following individuals were arrested in the operation (from top left to right):

• Howard Cornibe, 70, of Canada, arrested for Solicitation of Prostitution.
• Peter W. Bradshaw, 70, of Canada, arrested for Solicitation of Prostitution.
• Patrick J. Boll, 53, of New Jersey, arrested for Solicitation of Prostitution.
• William B. Darmoh III, 29, of Naples, arrested for Solicitation of Prostitution.
• Richard A.Cecil, 47, of Fort Myers, arrested for Solicitation of Prostitution.
• Jay B. Rosman, 64, of Bonita Springs, arrested for Solicitation of Prostitution and Resisting Arrest without Violence.

All six men made contact with an undercover officer via/phone text to meet at a hotel in Naples. Upon arrival, the deputy negotiated the performance of a sexual act for money, the Naples Police Department said in a report.

Judge Rosman served as Chief Judge of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit after his election in 2011 to June, 2015, according to the 20th Judicial Circuit Court website.

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Police: Judge among six people arrested in prostitution operation

Judge Astacio arrested, sent to jail until Thursday's hearing

June 05, 2017 11:25 PM

Judge Leticia Astacio was handcuffed and escorted by deputies to her court hearing Monday morning.

Judge Aronson made an offer good for 24 hours: plead guilty to the charge of declaration of delinquency and get 45 days in jail, plus two years of probation. The declaration of delinquency is for Astacio's failure to give a court ordered urine sample after an interlock reading that tested positive.

On Monday Judge Astacio declined the offer. She will remain in jail until a hearing on Thursday.

Judge Astacio walked into the Hall of Justice Monday morning for her meeting with her supervisor, Judge Craig Doran. The meeting was in Judge Doran's office on the 5th floor.

About 15 minutes after Judge Astacio arrived, three Rochester Police Officers arrived on the 5th floor and walked towards Judge Doran's chambers.

Judge Astacio's attorney, Ed Fiandach said, "This is not good. This is not a good sign."

There was an outstanding bench warrant waiting for Judge Astacio.

Judge Astacio was ordered back to Rochester from Thailand where her attorney said she was living in the mountains with monks. Judge Doran said leaving the country for an extended period of time was possibly in violation of her job. Judge Astacio's lawyer says he couldn't reach her because she was in Thailand and Verizon shut down her service over an unpaid bill.



Judge Astacio also missed a court date last week involving alleged interlock violations from her DWI arrest last year. When she missed the court date, the judge for the DWI case, Judge Aronson, issued a bench warrant for her.

"You buy a ticket and come from halfway around the world to appear in court, that's I think good enough evidence that you intend to appear,” says Ed Fiandach. “Our state's highest court has made it very clear that the purpose of bail is only to ensure that a person shows up in court and I think she's already expressed an ability and the desire to be in court by virtue of the fact that she's here today knowing - quite frankly - what was going to happen to her."



Voters react

"She deserves a second chance, but maybe not a second chance as a judge -- doing something else," says Krash Myz.

Krash Myz of Rochester says judges are held to a higher standard. He says City Court Judge Letitia Astacio has failed to maintain that standard. He questions if she can't manager herself, how can she judge the actions of others?

"You think that a judge is suppose to be more responsible and set an example to the people she is suppose to be judging," says Myz.

Monday, after Astacio appeared in court and was remanded to jail, people told us it's not Astacio's apparent problem with alcohol, but her behavior and seemingly constant run-in's with the law since her initial arrest last August. In particular, leaving the country and missing her last court appearance.

"I don't think she should get a second chance, but I'm happy that she did agree to come back to the country," says Stephen Welker.

Melodie Valenciano says everyone messes up and makes mistakes. She thinks if Astacio can show that she is seeking help and changes, she should be able to return to her job.

Valenciano tells us: "There's been a lot of statements made. I haven't heard that they've been verified... Everything's like hearsay to me. That's why I would like to give her the benefit of the doubt."

"She needs to prove herself, that she can be a good judge and make good decisions," she adds.



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Judge Astacio arrested, sent to jail until Thursday's hearing

New York judge arrested, led from courthouse in handcuffs

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — An embattled City Court judge was escorted Monday from judicial chambers in handcuffs.

Rochester court deputies and city police officers executed a bench warrant issued for Judge Leticia Astacio's arrest last week after she missed a Tuesday court appearance related to an August drunken-driving conviction.

Astacio, a Rochester City Court judge, smiled and said hello to the gaggle of reporters waiting for her at the fifth floor elevator bank of the Monroe County Hall of Justice where officers marched her off to be processed at the nearby Rochester Public Safety Building. She returned later to the courthouse for an arraignment before Judge Stephen Aronson of Canandaigua City Court, who issued the warrant and is overseeing her drunken-driving case.

He ordered her held without bail in Monroe County Jail until a Thursday hearing. The reason she missed her court appearance last week was because she had been living in a temple with monks in the mountains of Thailand since May 3, she had texted to her lawyer.

"You're doing everything to show you don't care what happens to your public trust," Aronson said.

In court Monday, Aronson offered Astacio a deal: Plead guilty to violating her initial drunk-driving sentence and receive 45 days in jail, two years of probation and six months on an ankle monitor. She declined and was ordered to jail.

On Feb. 13, 2016, Astacio was arrested around 8 a.m. ET on her way to City Court after New York state troopers were summoned to what appeared to be a one-car crash Interstate 490. She refused to take a Breathalyzer test

On Aug. 22, she was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge that was extended to February 2018 after she admitted violating two conditions: abstaining from alcohol and not driving under the influence.

Astacio, a Democrat who was elected to a 10-year term in 2014, also was in court in March when she beat four allegations that she violated the conditions of her sentence. One alleged that she twice drank alcohol, and three others were related to the use and maintenance of her ignition interlock device, which prevents a vehicle from starting if a driver has had too much to drink.


In May, Astacio was summoned to court after her interlock device on April 29 registered a blood-alcohol-content reading of 0.0651%. A vehicle will start only if a person's blood-alcohol content is below 0.03%.

Astacio, who worked as a prosecutor for a time in 2009 in the Driving While Intoxicated Bureau of the Monroe County District Attorney's Office, denied consuming alcohol and contended that her daughter had registered the reading, said her lawyer, Ed Fiandach. It is not illegal for another person to drive a car outfitted with an interlock device meant for someone else.

After the reading, which Fiandach said occurred near the beginning of May, Aronson asked that Astacio take a urine test that detects ethyl glucuronide, a byproduct of alcohol, and submit the results to the court. She did not, so she was summoned to court Tuesday and did not appear because she was in Thailand.

Why Astacio had not been arrested when she returned to the United States over the weekend was not immediately clear. She had told Fiandach that she had bought a one-way ticket to Thailand and would be there until some time in August.

She returned to Rochester because her supervising judge, Justice Craig Doran of the New York State Supreme Court, had directed she attend a 9 a.m. Monday meeting in his office at the Monroe County Hall of Justice, expressing concern in a letter that her behavior constituted a "voluntary abandonment of public office" that would be deemed a breach of her judicial responsibilities if she failed to show up.

"You are self-sabotaging any chance you have to return to the bench," Aronson said in court, telling Astacio that her attitude appeared to be contemptuous.

Though she still receives her paycheck, Astacio has been prohibited from presiding over cases since before her drunken driving conviction in August and has been barred from entering non-public areas of the courthouse since November. She has continued to receive her $173,700 salary because she remains an elected judge.

Astacio will again be working for her pay upon her release from jail — whenever that may be.

Her supervisors, state Supreme Court Judge Craig Doran and City Court Judge Teresa Johnson, told Astacio Monday that she will required to conduct research in the courthouse law library Monday through Friday, whenever court is in session.

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New York judge arrested, led from courthouse in handcuffs

AL residents hold protest demanding Judge Mark Fuller resign

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) -Federal Judge Mark Fuller, who presides over Alabama's middle district, is being asked to resign after being arrested last month over domestic violence charges.

Fuller entered a pre-trial diversion program after being arrested on domestic violence charges after he allegedly hit his wife.

Citizens gathered on Saturday in Montgomery at the Federal Courthouse to call for Fuller's resignation.

Several leaders have already said Judge Fuller needs to step down including Governor Robert Bentley and several US Congressional leaders.

Bentley has stated that the judge has jeopardized the public's trust with his actions.

Alabamians rallied on Saturday saying the judge has no right serving on the bench.

Fuller was arrested in August at an Atlanta Hotel after his wife called 911 saying he was beating her.
Fuller was charged with domestic violence, but he avoided prosecution with a plea deal that will remove the arrest from his record.

Protestors say that's not enough and say he should lose his job. They believe he should be removed from his appointment as Judge, saying if he can't abide by the laws than he certainly can't rule on them.

"It's unfair for him to judge other people on the law and constitution of these United States and he's violated each code of conduct and canon laws that these United States were founded on," said Montgomery resident Karen Jones.

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AL residents hold protest demanding Judge Mark Fuller resign