Attorneys for the legally embattled presiding judge of the 11th Judicial Circuit in Lauderdale County, Gilbert P. Self, are questioning a perjury charge against their client.
Self was recently indicted by Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall on 18 counts. Sixteen of those included using his office for personal gain or the gain of family members, one count of making a false representation to the office of Public Examiners of Public Accounts, and one count of perjury.
The perjury charge stems from claims Self lied to the grand jury about receiving approval to hire his son for a law library job.
According to WHNT, Self's attorneys have said the charge was unclear. They want prosecutors to provide Self's alleged false testimony, who gave the approval for the hiring, and how his conduct violated the law.
SEE ALSO: Lauderdale County presiding Judge indicted by Attorney General's Office
Following his arrest in January, Self made a statement saying he made an "honest but correctable" mistake.
"From the first time the auditors brought these issues to my attention, I have acknowledged honest but correctable mistakes were made in the two bank accounts I administered as Presiding Judge," he said. "These mistakes happened over a period of time when our court system was under immense pressure due to the pandemic and being understaffed and overloaded. At no time did I intend to violate any law. Lauderdale County is not out any money and all of the money in question is in those accounts."
He continued, "Nothing can change the mistakes I made and my embarrassment and regret are painful realities. Thankfully my wife, sons, family, friends, and church have been steadfast in their support. I look forward to having the citizens of our community review what happened and consider the unprecedented circumstances surrounding many of these events."
Retired Marshall County Circuit Judge Tim Jolley is presiding over the case, but no court dates for Self have been scheduled.
1819 News reached out to the Attorney General's Office for more information, but they declined to comment.
The defendant is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email Bradley.cox@1819news.com or on Twitter @BradleyCoxAL.
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