Two residents of Walker County, Alabama, have been indicted for allegedly stealing over $680,000 from the Providence Water Authority. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced that Sharon Lei Windham, 61, and her son Cody Warren Windham, 40, face multiple charges related to the theft.
According to the indictment, Sharon Windham is accused of two counts of first-degree theft of property and one count of first-degree theft of services. The indictment states she stole $539,804.10 in customer cash payments meant for the Authority. She also reportedly failed to pay her own water bill, accruing $3,975.55 in unpaid charges, and provided unauthorized water services to others totaling $17,925.49.
Sharon’s mother, Marie Windham, 81—an employee of the Providence Water Authority—had subcontracted her work to Sharon but has not been charged with any crime.
Cody Windham is charged with one count of first-degree theft of property. The indictment alleges he stole $118,600 by using a checkbook belonging to the Authority. He was not employed by the utility.
The Attorney General’s office stated that “the charges against Sharon Windham are Class B felonies punishable by between two and twenty years in the Alabama Department of Corrections and fines of up to $30,000.” Cody Windham faces a similar penalty as his charge is also a Class B felony.
Attorney General Steve Marshall’s Special Prosecutions Division is handling the case. The office said no further information about the investigation or alleged crimes will be released at this time.
“An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty,” according to the statement from Marshall’s office.
