Staff Report
MONTGOMERY –Attorney General Luther Strange announced a felony theft conviction today of a third former Alabama state trooper for using a state credit card to purchase gasoline for his personal use. Kenneth Grissett, 52, of Tuscaloosa, had been stationed at the Tuscaloosa office of the Alabama Department of Public Safety.
Grissett pleaded guilty to Theft of Property in the Second Degree in Tuscaloosa Circuit Court. He was sentenced to three years, which was suspended for three years of probation, and ordered to pay $1,225 in restitution.
The State’s evidence against Grissett included Grissett’s statement to ABI investigators and records that showed Grissett purchased more than $500 worth of gasoline for his personal vehicle with a state credit card from January 2010 to February 2011.
This is the third state trooper to plead guilty to felony charges related to improper use of a state credit card. Former state troopers Terry Stallworth and Jonathan Dees pled guilty to felony ethics charges for misusing their state credit cards to purchase fuel for themselves. Grissett’s guilty plea marks the end of a 2011 investigation by the Alabama Bureau of Investigations, which resulted in the resignations and felony convictions of the three troopers.
“It is always unfortunate when any public servant betrays the trust of the people. Law enforcement officers in this State are sworn to uphold the law and do so with the trust, respect and gratitude of all Alabamians. The convictions of these former state troopers are disappointing reminders that no one is above the law,” said Attorney General Strange. “It is important that our citizens have confidence in our public servants and my Office is committed to maintaining that confidence by bringing those who betray the public to justice.”
The Attorney General commended Deputy Attorney General Mike Duffy and Assistant Attorney General Pete Smyczek of the Attorney General’s Special Prosecutions Division, and thanked the Alabama Bureau of Investigation for their successful handling of all three cases.
