Thread: AL - Ex-Albertville Hispanic advocate arrested for theft.

Ex-Albertville Hispanic advocate arrested

Aylene Sepulveda charged with theft

Wednesday, April 6, 2011 4:37 pm | Updated: 5:13 pm, Wed Apr 6, 2011.

Aylene Sepulveda charged with theft

By Elizabeth Summers

A former outspoken advocate for Hispanic rights faces theft charges.

Aylene Amato Sepulveda, 31, currently of 3601 Chasewood Drive, Huntsville, and formerly of Albertville, was arrested by Marshall County Sheriff's Office deputies Saturday at 4:30 p.m. on a grand jury warrant for theft.

According to Albertville Assistant Police Chief Maj. Jamie Smith, Albertville attorney Michael Shabani, of 143 West Main St., filed the charges on July 16, 2010, alleging Sepulveda stole more than $10,000 from his office while she worked for him as a legal assistant. In the report, Shabani alleges the thefts occurred between Sept. 2, 2009, and July 8, 2010, Smith said.

Shabani is a Birmingham-based immigration attorney with an office in Albertville. He said he opened the office in Marshall County after several clients asked him to. "Many residents were in need of these services, but did not have licenses or could not drive to Birmingham," he said.

Shabani purchased an existing law office from another attorney and retained Sepulveda as the office manager, a position she held with the previous owner, Shabani said.

"We found out she was charging clients fees, pocketing half of what she collected and was giving the clients generic receipts," Shabani said.

"We have had many clients call asking about their cases, only to discover they were not listed as clients. After some investigation, we found out they came to the Albertville office and paid money, but (Sepulveda) didn't credit the money or set them up as clients."

Shabani also had clients call his Birmingham offices complaining of discrepancies in their monthly invoices. Many claimed they paid more that what was credited to their accounts, Shabani said. Many provided receipts to back up their claims.

When reached Wednesday, Sepulveda declined to discuss the case.

"I'm innocent of all charges," Sepulveda said during a phone interview.

"I'm being set up by my employer. It has a lot to do with my activism in the Hispanic community.

"I'm going to fight this. I can't say more at this time."

Sepulveda was the organizer of the North Alabama Hispanic Committee and worked with members of the Hispanic community to unite the Hispanic and Anglo cultures within the city of Albertville.

Shabani disputes her claims.

"I came to her church several times and talked to the people there and the pastor, offering advice and answering their questions," Shabani said.

"I never charged them. I have been to several community events in Albertville and at the schools. I would be the only immigration attorney there.

"It is totally incorrect what she is saying."

Shabani said he will continue operating a practice in Albertville, with the office now manned by a full-time attorney and bilingual paralegal.

"Trust is a big issue in the Hispanic community and with everyone," Shabani said. "I didn't know who she was.

"I don't want people to think we are going to take their money and do nothing for them. What she did was an isolated event. It went on for a few months and I have corrected the problem. I have never had an employee that was dishonest with me. What she did was very disappointing to me. I was furious."

Shabani said he has "made it right" with the clients Sepulveda is accused of stealing from.

"I have worked for free for many of them," Shabani said. "If they said they paid, I have to honor that. And I have."

Sepulveda was released over the weekend after posting a $2,500 bond at the Marshall County Jail.

First-degree theft is a Class B felony, according to the Alabama Criminal Code. Punishment could include imprisonment from between two to 20
years and fines of up to $30,000.



http://www.sandmountainreporter.com/new ... 03286.html

HAHAHAHAHA!!! Glad she was caught!


She is a pretty thing though, isn't she!

Originally Posted by OneNationUnderGod

HAHAHAHAHA!!! Glad she was caught!


She is a pretty thing though, isn't she!

I looked at the picture and immediately "Isn't She Lovely" started playing in my mind...LMAO!

Shes hispanic need to say more.She was just tring to better her self doing a job americans wont do.

"You can see what she spent the money on!"

When her face popped up when I clicked on this article I almost jumped out of my chair She could scare a bear out of a pitch black cave Sheesh

Pride of the farm....

When she sits around the house, she sits AROUND THE HOUSE!

Guess who will have to pay for her public defender?

"We have had many clients call asking about their cases, only to discover they were not listed as clients. After some investigation, we found out they came to the Albertville office and paid money, but (Sepulveda) didn't credit the money or set them up as clients."

Yeah, that's what activism in the hispanic community is all about, ripping off the community. If it weren't profitable there would be ZERO "activists" in the hispanic community!

That's why it's so important for hispanic communities to learn English!

miguelina wrote:

Yeah, that's what activism in the hispanic community is all about, ripping off the community. If it weren't profitable there would be ZERO "activists" in the hispanic community!

You are dead on. They take advange of people that that have basically come from a third world country with little education and use them for political gain and to line their pockets.

The top dogs at LaRaza, Casa de Maryland etc. live pretty cushy lives. JMO