‘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.

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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. 

Full Article & Source:
‘I betrayed the trust:’ Limestone County judge writes letter admitting to crimes 

See Also:
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.

Full Article & Source:
AG asks court to set hearing date for Limestone County judge indicted on theft, elderly exploitation charges

See Also:
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.

Full Article & Source:
Limestone County judge arrested for theft, elderly exploitation