From Amanda Priest
Communications Director, Office of Attorney General
(MONTGOMERY)—Attorney General Steve Marshall announced the conviction of a Limestone County man on charges related to his former government position. James Michael Hardaway, 64, of Athens, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one ethics violation and one count of custodial sexual misconduct. At the time of the offenses, Hardaway was employed as the Assistant Director of the Limestone County Community Corrections Program.
“No one is above the law, especially those who are in positions of authority,” said Attorney General Steve Marshall. “Our community corrections programs are an important part of our criminal justice system and must be administered by individuals who are committed to the good of those within their care.”
On April 11, Hardaway was sentenced to 20 years, split to serve two years in the Alabama Department of Corrections. Hardaway must immediately register as a sex offender and abide by all requirements of Alabama’s Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. Attorney General Marshall’s Criminal Trials Division presented evidence to a Limestone County grand jury in October 2020, resulting in Hardaway’s indictment on ethics violation and custodial sexual misconduct charges.
Attorney General Steve Marshall commended his Criminal Trials Division for its successful prosecution of this case, noting in particular, Assistant Attorneys General Jillian Jordan Evans and Chris Moore, as well as the Investigations Unit of Attorney General’s Investigations Division.
