Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has made a significant announcement regarding the indictment and subsequent arrest of Eleventh Judicial Circuit Judge Gilbert P. Self, aged 61, from Florence. The charges against Self include sixteen counts of using his position for personal gain or for the benefit of his family, one count of providing false information to Examiners of Public Accounts, and one count of perjury. Self voluntarily surrendered to the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office.
The alleged misconduct, which occurred between April 2020 and February 2023, took place while Self was serving as the presiding judge of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit. The indictment outlines various prohibited activities, including the use of over $50,000 in public funds to employ his son and the misuse of public funds for personal expenses such as a sofa, alcoholic beverages, and eyeglasses. Additionally, Self is accused of using his position to reimburse himself with public funds for multiple vacations, including a ski trip to Montana, a beach trip, a cycling trip across three states, and a trip to St. Ignace, Michigan. The indictment also alleges that Self paid himself from public funds for travel to events he did not attend in Reno, Nevada; Duck Key, Florida; Mackinac Island, Michigan; and Alabama. Furthermore, Self is charged with double-billing for per diem and mileage and providing false information to the Examiners of Public Accounts during an audit. Lastly, the indictment accuses Self of making a false statement while under oath in front of the Grand Jury of Lauderdale County in January 2024.
The Attorney General’s Special Prosecutions Division pursued the indictment following an investigation stemming from the audit conducted by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts into the Lauderdale County Presiding Judge’s Judicial Administration Fund and the Law Library Fund.
If convicted, Self could face a maximum penalty of 20 years of imprisonment and a $30,000 fine for each of the sixteen charges related to violating the Ethics Law, which are classified as class B felonies. Additionally, he could face up to 10 years of imprisonment and a $15,000 fine for making a false statement to the Examiners and for perjury, which are classified as class C felonies.
Attorney General Marshall expressed gratitude to the Examiners of Public Accounts and the Eleventh Circuit Court for their cooperation during the investigation.
This case represents a significant development in the legal landscape and underscores the importance of upholding ethical standards within public office.