FLORENCE, Ala. — Former Lauderdale County Judge Gil Self was sentenced Wednesday to 12 years in prison after being convicted of embezzling public funds for personal gain.
Self was found guilty in November on 17 counts, including using his office for personal enrichment, lying to state auditors, and committing perjury before a grand jury. Prosecutors detailed a pattern of corruption spanning more than four years, where Self used county judicial funds for ski trips, beach vacations, restaurant meals, and other personal expenses.
Although the combined sentences totaled 51.5 years, the judge grouped terms into concurrent “sets,” resulting in an effective 12-year term. Self is also permanently disqualified from holding public office in Alabama. He may post bond and appeal the verdict.
Prosecutors noted over 330 instances between 2019 and 2023 where Self used county funds for personal purposes, drawing from both the Judicial Administration Fund and Law Library Fund. He allegedly disguised personal trips as drug court visits, falsified check descriptions, and provided fabricated documentation to conceal his misconduct.
The state had sought a 20-year sentence, recommending five years in custody followed by probation. Defense attorneys argued for a non-custodial sentence to keep Self out of prison.
