Hanceville, Alabama – In a shocking turn of events, Mayor Kenneth Nail of Hanceville, a small city in Alabama, has resigned from his position and pleaded guilty to 15 misdemeanor counts of using city employees and inmates for personal gain. The charges, which include the use of office for personal benefits, were brought against Mayor Nail after an investigation by Cullman County District Attorney Champ Crocker.
The crimes, which occurred between September 2019 and September 2023, involved Nail soliciting former Police Chief Bob Long to perform work at his home while on duty. Additionally, Nail had another city employee, Joshua Howell, drive to Georgia in a city vehicle to perform work on a trailer owned by Nail and his wife. Furthermore, Nail allegedly used three former jail inmates to perform work at his home while they were in custody.
Upon entering his guilty plea, Mayor Nail expressed remorse for his actions and publicly apologized for any harm caused to the city and its residents. “I am truly sorry for the harm and inconvenience brought about by this,” Nail wrote in his apology. “I never wanted to bring any negativity to Hanceville. I love Hanceville and the people of Hanceville. I would never do anything to intentionally harm the city. Again, I am truly sorry.”
As part of the plea deal, Nail has agreed to resign from his position as mayor and has been ordered to pay $4,000 in restitution, a $2,500 fine, and perform 120 hours of community service. Additionally, he will be on probation for 15 years, during which time he is prohibited from working for any public or governmental entity.
District Attorney Crocker emphasized the importance of holding elected officials accountable for their actions. “The trust between the people and their government must remain strong,” Crocker stated. “Mr. Nail pleaded guilty, admitted to his misconduct, and also apologized to the citizens of Hanceville for his actions. I believe this swift resolution is balanced and shows both consideration for admitting guilt and that elected officials who violate the public trust will be held accountable.”
Mayor Nail was represented by attorneys Michael Whisonant and Richard Jaffe, who expressed satisfaction with the resolution of the case. They stated, “Mayor Nail cares deeply for the citizens of Hanceville and has given most of his adult life to the service of the citizens of Cullman County. He also greatly appreciates all the people that have reached out and supported him through this difficult process and is happy this is behind him.”
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in government. The swift action taken against Mayor Nail highlights the commitment to upholding the public trust and ensuring that elected officials are held responsible for their actions. The city of Hanceville can now move forward, learning from this experience and continuing to serve its residents with integrity.
