Anniston, AL — A lawsuit filed in the Circuit Court of Calhoun County on August 13, 2024, has brought forth serious allegations against a well-known local attorney, Marshall Douglas Ghee, Sr., and his law firm, Ghee, Draper & Alexander (G.D.A. Firm). The attorney known in the area as Doug Ghee was also an Alabama State Senator from 1990 to 1998. The plaintiff has accused Ghee and other members of the law firm of a range of egregious offenses, including sexual assault, battery, extortion, false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and wantonness.
The lawsuit, filed by the plaintiff’s attorney, Anthony B. Coleman, paints a disturbing picture of abuse and misconduct that allegedly occurred during attorney visits at the Calhoun County Jail in July of 2024. The complaint names Ghee as the primary perpetrator but also implicates the entire G.D.A. Firm, including partners Wendy Ghee Draper, Jennifer Ghee Downey, Laura Ghee Alexander, David C. Alexander, Jr., and Lindsey Ghee McCarroll, asserting that they are all personally liable due to the nature of the firm’s business structure.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff was an inmate at the Calhoun County Jail, facing a potential 15-year prison sentence at the time of the alleged incidents. Doug Ghee, a seasoned criminal defense attorney and partner at G.D.A. Firm, visited the plaintiff at the jail under the pretense of discussing the pending criminal case.
Per the claim, the first alleged incident occurred on July 12, 2024, when Ghee visited the plaintiff in a private attorney visitation room at the jail. The lawsuit claims that during this meeting, Ghee made an inappropriate proposition, offering to secure a better plea deal in exchange for $2,500 and a commitment to become his “sex slave” upon release from custody. The complaint alleges that Ghee attempted to exploit his connections with the judge and assistant district attorney assigned to the plaintiff’s case, suggesting that his influence could lead to a more favorable outcome for her if she agreed to his demands.
In a further alleged act of coercion, Ghee reportedly deposited $30 into the plaintiff’s jail account on the same day, which the plaintiff perceived as a form of manipulation to gain her compliance.
The situation reportedly escalated on July 17, 2024, when Ghee returned for a second attorney visit with the plaintiff. The complaint details a harrowing encounter in which Ghee allegedly physically assaulted the plaintiff in the small visitation room. According to the plaintiff, they were handcuffed and shackled during the meeting, as per jail protocol, and initially believed the meeting was concluding. However, Ghee allegedly grabbed the plaintiff by the arms, began kissing without consent, and proceeded to grope the plaintiff, despite direct attempts to pull away.
The complaint further describes how Ghee cornered the plaintiff, placing his hand around the plaintiff’s throat while continuing his assault. The ordeal was only interrupted when a corrections officer entered the room, removed the plaintiff from the situation, and locked Ghee inside, preventing further harm.
The lawsuit outlines several legal claims against Ghee and the other defendants:
- Sexual Assault and Battery: The complaint asserts that Ghee’s actions constitute both assault and battery, as his non-consensual physical contact created a well-founded fear of imminent harm and resulted in offensive and harmful touching.
- Extortion: The lawsuit accuses Ghee of attempting to extort the plaintiff by using his position of power to coerce the plaintiff into providing sexual favors and money under the threat of jeopardizing the criminal case.
- False Imprisonment: The complaint alleges that Ghee unlawfully detained the plaintiff in the visitation room against will, using physical force and threats to restrict any movement.
- Negligence and Wantonness: The lawsuit claims that Ghee breached his duty of care as an attorney by engaging in actions that caused significant harm to the plaintiff. The complaint also argues that Ghee acted with reckless disregard for the plaintiff’s rights and well-being, thus committing the tort of wantonness.
- Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: The complaint highlights the severe emotional trauma that the plaintiff has endured as a result of Ghee’s conduct, asserting that his actions were so extreme and outrageous that they go beyond the bounds of decency and should not be tolerated in a civilized society.
The plaintiff is seeking compensatory and punitive damages against Ghee and the other defendants. The lawsuit emphasizes the need for punitive damages to reflect the severity of the defendants’ actions and to serve as a deterrent against similar conduct in the future. The plaintiff’s attorney, Anthony B. Coleman, has demanded a trial by jury to ensure that justice is served.
The allegations against Ghee, a long-standing member of the Calhoun County legal community, have sent shockwaves through the local area. The case highlights critical concerns about the power dynamics within the criminal justice system and the vulnerability of individuals in custody. As the case progresses, it is likely to draw significant attention, not only for the gravity of the accusations but also for its potential implications on the legal profession in Calhoun County and beyond.
As of the filing, neither Ghee nor his legal team has publicly responded to the allegations. The case is set to proceed in the Circuit Court of Calhoun County, where the parties will present their arguments and evidence in what promises to be a closely watched legal battle.
The Calhoun Journal spoke with the Calhoun County Sheriff, Matthew Wade. We asked the Sheriff if he had the opportunity to see a copy of the lawsuit and he advised that he had. The Sheriff was asked about the complaint, and he stated, “Although there is still an ongoing criminal investigation and I can not comment about that, I can say what I read in the complaint appears to be factual and I look forward to testifying in the future”. Sheriff Wade went on to advise, “We have cameras throughout all the attorney rooms and surrounding areas. We had no reports of any of the cameras experiencing any type of malfunctions or errors during the month of July 2024”.
The Sheriff went on to explain that the current criminal investigation includes partners with the State of Alabama Attorney General’s Office, Federal Law Enforcement, The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, and other agencies when needed. The investigation is taking time due to witnesses, evidence, and new information being collected as it moves forward.
The Calhoun Journal also spoke with Calhoun County District Attorney, Lynn Hammond. We asked why the District Attorney’s Office had recused itself from this case as it’s being investigated. DA Hammond stated, “We looked into the totality of the situation and determined that it was best to recuse this office in order to maintain the integrity of the judicial process here in Calhoun County”. The District Attorney’s office is responsible for ensuring that people charged with crimes are treated fairly and not taken advantage of.
The Calhoun County Judges have also recused themselves from hearing any matters regarding Doug Ghee. It is the Judge’s responsibility to ensure that defendants receive a fair and impartial trial to determine innocence or guilt in a criminal action.
Sheriff Matthew Wade also advised that the case is still ongoing and that anyone with further information should contact him directly. He issued the different methods to communicate with him as:
Or call directly
If you would like to report anonymously you can contact CrimeStoppers.
Using the CrimeStoppers communication platforms is easy, and they now offer three methods to communicate with them. The first method is the telephone; you will be given a tip number when you call (334) 215-7867. They will not ask you for your name (unless you wish to testify later) or phone number, and they also do not use caller ID. The conversations are not recorded, and the call-taker requests no personal information. Once you have given your tip, they will contact the agency and give them only the information provided about their case. The second method is to use the Central Alabama CrimeStoppers website at www.215stop.com. This is also 100% confidential, and there is no personal information requested from the tipster. The integrated two-way dialog capability allows the tipster to provide information but still have the opportunity to come back later and offer more information regarding that case. The CrimeStoppers staff also can communicate with the tipster if any questions arise or if a reward is provided based on the information given. The final method of communicating with CrimeStoppers is their P3 TIPS app, available for iPhones and Androids. It works similarly to the website contact version but allows the tipster to access the service much faster after the app is set up.
