SUPERCEDING INDICTMENT FILED FOR FORMER FRANKLIN COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY
INDICTED FOR DEPRIVATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS BY SEXUALLY FONDLING YOUNG MALES

BIRMINGHAM, AL -A new indictment has been filed today in U.S. District Court, superceding the charges filed on February 28, 2007, charging former Franklin County District Attorney, JOHN PILATI, 41, of Russellville, Alabama. PILATI was charged with four misdemeanor counts of deprivation of rights under color of law in connection with illicit sexual contact between PILATI and four young males.

"Today's superceding indictment adds an additional charge involving an additional victim," stated U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin.

The previously alleged conduct occurred from on or about Spring 2001 through Winter 2002. The added count includes conduct which occurred on or about February 2004. The incidents, including the one added today, involve PILATI, who was the elected District Attorney in Franklin County, Alabama, personally conducting body searches of young male subjects during which he subjected them to unclothed fondling of a sexual nature.

The maximum sentence for deprivation of civil rights is not more than one year imprisonment and a $100,000 fine for each count. Imprisonment for each count is to be served consecutively. PILATI will appear in U.S. District Court in about two weeks for arraignment on the superceding indictment. No trial date has been set.

"The Federal Bureau of Investigation will continue to aggressively investigate all credible allegations of civil rights violations," states Carmen S. Adams, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation.

This matter was investigated by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Investigators of the Alabama Attorney General's office. U.S. Department of Justice Trial Attorney Christine Dunn and Assistant United States Attorney David H. Estes will prosecute this matter on behalf of the U.S. Government.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government's burden to prove a defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.