In Alabama, 2019, Judge Doug Patterson was serving as the conservator for Charles Hardy; when Judge Patterson stole $42,800 from Charles Hardy.  The Alabama Attorney General charged Judge Patterson with three felonies, including use of official position or office for personal gain; financial exploitation fo the elderly in the first degree, and theft of property in the third degree.

Charles Hardy, who is now deceased, was an incapacitated senior living in a Limestone County nursing home for military veterans. At the time Judge Patterson became his conservator, Charles Hardy account had over $43,000. By December 2016, the account had less than $200, and Judge Patterson had withdrawn $47,800 for his own personal use. Judge Patterson deposited Hardy’s money into his personal account, his law firm account, and his business account. Some of these withdrawals took place after Patterson became a judge. In each of these instances, Patterson converted the money to personal use unrelated to Hardy’s care or well-being.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic Judge Patterson trail has been delayed until at least September 2020.