Douglas Lamar Neighbors Jr. was the Republican nominee to be the next coroner of Elmore County, Alabama. He was also, according to court filings, quietly stealing from a volunteer fire department for nearly a decade while serving as its treasurer.
He was arrested in June. He dropped out of the race the same day.
What He’s Accused Of
Neighbors was arrested on June 25 on a charge of aggravated theft by deception. Court records show that between January 2017 and May 2026, he was accused of stealing more than $250,000 from the Red Hill Volunteer Fire Department by writing checks to himself and making ATM withdrawals. Neighbors served as the department’s secretary/treasurer the entire time.
Nine years. Quarter of a million dollars. Written checks and ATM withdrawals from the funds of a volunteer fire department, the kind of organization that runs on donations, small budgets, and community trust.
He was held on a $6,000 bond.
How It Came to Light
The thefts only came to an end because members of the fire department itself grew suspicious and reported it. VFD members reported their suspicions to the State Fire Marshal’s Office, which set the investigation and eventual arrest in motion.
The Red Hill Volunteer Fire Department released a statement acknowledging the situation: “The Red Hill Volunteer Fire Department recently became aware of concerns involving the mishandling of department funds by a member of the department.”
He Was Already the Republican Nominee
Neighbors was not a fringe candidate. He was the sole qualifier from the Republican Party for Elmore County coroner, meaning he had already secured the nomination unopposed before any of this became public.
Elmore County Republican Party chair Debbie Williams confirmed that Neighbors would not be the coroner, even though he had been the sole qualifier from the Republican Party, and noted there is no Democratic opposition in the race. “He has resigned from the party and taken his name off the ballot,” Williams said. “We have been in contact with the state party about it. We have several people who are interested.”
What Happens Now
With Neighbors out, the Elmore County Republican Party has had to scramble to find a replacement nominee before the November general election. The party extended its application deadline for interested candidates to July 12 and formed a subcommittee to review applicants and interview candidates, before making a recommendation to the full executive committee for a vote. Since coroner is a county office, the state party said the entire replacement process would be handled locally, with a decision needed by August 24 to make the November ballot. There will be no special primary.
The Elmore County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the case is being handled through the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation.
The Bottom Line
A man who was on track to become Elmore County’s next coroner, an office responsible for investigating deaths and serving the public in one of its most sensitive roles, is instead accused of stealing a quarter of a million dollars from a volunteer fire department over nine years. He only stopped running for office because his own alleged victims caught him and reported it to state investigators.
His party is now left searching for a replacement nominee less than four months before the election, with no serious opposition on the ballot to hold accountable whoever they choose next.
Just another RepubliScum, thief. They are everywhere. For now