Chris Hand Alleges Crimes of "Moral Turpitude/Immorality"

 

When TK the AG was in power, he expanded the list of Alabama crimes of moral turpitude to include jay walking...or close to it. That list has been downsized since Troy King left office, but many less serious crimes remain. 

Michelle Ragan is accused of one set of "crimes" by the Alabama Ethics Commission/Colbert County DA's office and a second set by the Colbert County Board of Education. The BOE led by Chris Hand has accused Ragan of doing private work for two businesses owned by her family while on BOE time. 

It's safe to assume Ragan's private psychometrist service is the business endeavor previously mentioned as having unfair access to her competitors' bids. The other?

Michelle Ragan's husband Chad (pictured) owns a Matco Tool franchise in Florence. According to reports from the superintendent's office, several Matco related documents were also found on Ragan's office computer...a computer purchased and maintained by Colbert County taxpayers.

Our take? It's not uncommon for employees of private businesses to perform quid pro quo work. The employee uses company equipment from time to time, but also supplies his/her own janitorial/office supplies, software, etc. It's usually an amiable arrangement.

However, in this public case, we're sure Colbert County tax payers engaged in businesses similar to Matco don't appreciate their tax dollars supporting a competitor. No one has stated how long these "crimes of moral turpitude" have been going on, but we do question the timing of their discovery. Satchell demoted, and Ragan (soon to be) terminated.

Who's next in Hand's cunning master plan?