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Dixon pleads guilty
The charges brought against him stemmed from the alleged illegal sale of a county-owned tractor. He counts of second degree theft of property, one count of second degree forgery, one count of possession of a forged instrument and three counts of use of public office for personal gain. Following Dixon's plea, the Alabama Attorney General's Office agreed to drop the remaining charges. Dixon was accused of the illegal sale of a M4050 Kubota tractor, valued between $500 and $2,500, that was the property of the Washington County Commission. The second theft charge is related to the alleged theft of a check or proceeds of a check that belonged to the county commission. In April, 2007, Sheriff Richard Stringer said information was received that the tractor, owned by the county, was allegedly sold without going through the proper bid process. The sheriff said the piece of equipment was recovered from a location in the Frankville community. Judge Braxton L. Kittrell handed Dixon a three-year sentence for each count, which was suspended for a term of three years probation. He was further ordered to pay full restitution to Washington County, to pay court costs and a $50 fine to the Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Fund. Section 36-9-2 of the Code of Alabama states that when an officeholder is convicted of a felony, the office is vacated from the time of conviction. Brent Woodall served as the lead attorney for the Alabama Attorney General's Office. The charges to which Dixon pleaded guilty are one count of intentionally using his public position as county commissioner for the unlawful personal gain of a check of the Washington County Commission for $700 for the retirement of an indebtedness of a family member and one count of intentionally using his public position as county commissioner for the unlawful personal gain of an automobile electric door switch. Filling the vacancy The question now is who will fill the vacant District 5 commission seat? According to Probate Judge Charles Singleton that is a question that may not be easily answered. He said Gov. Bob Riley could appoint someone, more than likely a Republican, who could possibly serve for the next two years when the next election cycle takes place. That's because the qualifying date for Republicans and Democrats has already passed for the June 3 primary. But, Singleton explained that independents have until June 3 to qualify for the general election in November, at which time an appointee would have to face that person on the ballot. Washington County Democratic Executive Committee Chairman Tommy Fuller said according to state bylaws, he can set a deadline for those who wish to seek the office as a Democrat to qualify and the committee can then choose a candidate from those who put in their bid for the position. Judge Singleton said that, coupled with the governor's appointment of a replacement, if there is one, is where the details become murky. He cited the situation when Sam Jones vacated his Mobile County Commission seat after being elected mayor of Mobile. "The governor appointed a Republican to fill out the remainder of the term, but the Democrats turned around and filed a lawsuit against the governor and that candidate was removed," he said. "They then held an election and a Democrat was elected to the fill the vacancy. That case is still being considered by the Supreme Court."
Singleton said because of all those factors he was unable to say exactly what would happen. In the meantime Dixon's chair at the Washington County Commission table will remain empty.
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