The Alabama Ethics Commission probe into Cullman County District Judge Kim Chaney focuses on the judge allegedly appointing criminal cases to his son who is an attorney, the commission’s director confirmed today.

On Wednesday, the Alabama Ethics Commission found probable cause Chaney violated the state’s ethics law which prohibits elected officials, public employees, and their families from benefiting from their position. The case has been sent to the state attorney general’s office for review.

The Alabama Political Reporter was first to report today that Alabama State Ethics Commission Executive Director Tom Albritton said Chaney stands accused of directing criminal appointments – assigning representation of criminal defendants – to his son, Alex Chaney, and his son’s law firm, Berry, Berry, Little, Brunner & Chaney. 

Although Albritton did not confirm details of the allegation when asked by The Times Wednesday, he did this morning to quell rumors and misinformation about the nature of the complaint.

A call to Chaney’s Birmingham attorney, Augusta Dowd, was not immediately returned. On Wednesday, Kim Chaney, through his attorney, denied any wrongdoing. The district judge is currently in his fifth term.

State finance records show Alex Chaney was paid $118,766.80 in state money from the Fair Trial Tax Fund in fiscal 2016 and $86,406.86 in fiscal 2017. 

The ethics commission got involved after a complaint was filed, and the commission determined there was probable cause Kim Chaney had violated the ethics law. 

Alex Chaney serves as the vice-chairman of the Cullman County GOP.