Athens Woman Faces Multiple Charges in Charity Fraud Case

The Limestone County Sheriff’s Office has initiated a probe through its Criminal Investigation Division (CID) regarding allegations of fraudulent charity activities occurring in the area this October. The investigation centers on Amy Dianne Elmore Downs, a 57-year-old resident of Athens, Alabama, who is widely recognized on TikTok under the name Slotmachinequeen. Reports indicate that Downs solicited funds for a purported charity aimed at aiding homeless individuals and victims of domestic violence from 2021 to 2024.

In her appeals for support, Downs directed her followers to contribute money to her personal accounts on platforms such as PayPal, CashApp, and Venmo, rather than to any established charitable organization. Throughout the investigation, it was found that there was no legitimate charity linked to Downs’ name. Further scrutiny revealed that she had not reported any employment since 2020, and there was no record of any charity registered with the Alabama Attorney General’s Office.

Since 2021, Downs is alleged to have funneled approximately $1 million into her personal bank accounts under the guise of charitable donations. This evidence has led authorities to establish probable cause for her arrest on multiple charges, including seven counts of first-degree charitable fraud and three counts of tax evasion. A bond has been set at $1,125,000 for Downs, and there is a possibility of additional charges as the investigation continues. The Limestone County Sheriff’s Office is calling on anyone with information related to this case to come forward and assist in the inquiry.