Geneva County Circuit Clerk Ashley Powell has been ordered to turn in her keys and is barred from her office while a criminal investigation into missing public funds continues, multiple sources told WTVY News4.
Agents with the Alabama Attorney General’s Office were in Geneva last week gathering evidence, according to sources with direct knowledge of the matter.
People familiar with the investigation said Geneva County Presiding Circuit Judge Bill Filmore signed an order several days ago prohibiting Powell from entering the clerk’s office. She was required to surrender her keys and remain away from the office during the investigation, the sources said.
Geneva County Circuit Clerk Ashley Powell(AOC)
This week, employees from Alabama’s Administrative Office of Courts have been working in the clerk’s office to assist staff in Powell’s absence. AOC is not a law enforcement agency.
Another potential issue could be Powell in her job as clerk has an important role in the election process with state primaries only a couple of months away. It was not immediately clear if the judge’s order affects her in that position.
Powell was appointed Geneva County circuit clerk in April 2023 and was elected to the position the following year. She could not immediately be reached for comment.
What we don’t know yet
The exact amount of public money investigators believe is missing.The specific allegations investigators are examining.Whether Powell has retained an attorney.
Next steps
WTVY will update this story if the attorney general’s office responds and as court records become available.
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