LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. — Former Limestone County District Judge Douglas Lee Patterson has been sentenced to serve four years in prison after being convicted of ethics, exploitation and theft charges, according to Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall.
Patterson pleaded guilty to three felony charges on October 30, including the use of official position or office for personal gain, financial exploitation of the elderly in the first degree and theft of property in the third degree.
Patterson was sentenced to 16 years, but it was split into 4 years served in prison and the following six years spend under supervised probation. If Patterson fails to abide by the terms of probation, he could be ordered to serve the remainder of his sentence in prison.
Additionally, Patterson was ordered to pay $72,822 in restitution to his victims.
“It is fitting that Patterson has received a stern sentence for his crimes and that we have brought a measure of justice for his victims,” Attorney General Marshall said. “He betrayed the citizens of Limestone County and exploited those who trusted him, stealing from the most vulnerable among us—children, the disabled and the elderly. This sentence serves to restore the public confidence in our judicial system and sends a strong warning that such despicable actions will not be tolerated, and all will be held equally to account under the law.”
As a part of the plea agreement, Patterson admitted to violating his oath of office and Alabama law by stealing $47,800 from the Limestone County Juvenile Court Services Fund.
Additionally, Patterson admitted that he financially exploited Charles Lee Hardy while he was serving as a private attorney. Hardy, a disabled military veteran, died in 2015. By the time Hardy had died, Patterson had emptied his accounts, leaving nothing for his family to inherit, according to Attorney General Marshall.
Lastly, Patterson also admitted he stole from another client while in private practice. Attorney General Marshall said Patterson stole $601 from this client three years after he died in July 2015, spending it on himself rather than turning it over to his client's family.
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