Trustee wipes more than $600,000 from 91-year-old widow’s bank account, AL officials say
A man gained the confidence of a 91-year-old widow and her family, then stole more than $600,000 from her, Alabama officials said.
James Langford III, 50, from Auburn, served as the trustee on the woman’s bank account, after knowing her and her family “through a longstanding business and personal relationship,” authorities said.
But over a two-year period, Langford stole money in small amounts, officials said.
Concerned family members reported his suspicious behavior to law enforcement, and he was charged with one count of aggravated theft by deception, according to the release.
Now, he’s sentenced to 15 years, split to serve two years with a 10-year probationary period, and ordered to pay $611,292.65 in restitution, the Alabama Securities Commission said in a Jan. 16 news release.
That means he’ll serve two years in custody of the Alabama Department of Corrections and 10 years on probation, after which the court will have jurisdiction over him for a remaining three years, officials said.
“He is under a sentence in order to pay restitution, and by allowing the extended sentence the court retains jurisdiction to bring him back in, should (he) fail to make restitution payments,” ASC Director Amanda Senn told McClatchy News in a Jan. 17 phone interview.
In July, Langford turned himself in to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office after his indictment, according to a news release.
“Langford’s sinister actions, while he was appointed as fiduciary to take care of his elderly victim, are reprehensible,” Senn said in the release. “Everyone needs to be extremely vigilant in helping protect their elderly family members, friends, and clients from becoming victims.”
According to Financial Industry Regulatory Authority records, Langford was a registered broker for 16 years until he was barred by the organization in December.
This story was originally published January 17, 2025 at 10:55 AM with the headline "Trustee wipes more than $600,000 from 91-year-old widow’s bank account, AL officials say."
