Northport Councilwoman Arrested On Charge Not Relating To Office

NORTHPORT, AL — Patch has confirmed that a Northport city councilwoman has been arrested and charged with a felony in connection to a criminal case that does not involve her role in elected office.

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Court and jail records obtained by Patch show that Christy Bobo, 43, was charged Monday with Theft I — a felony. She was processed at the Tuscaloosa County Jail Monday evening and was released after her bond was set at $15,000.

Her arrest apparently occurred after the Council's regular meeting Monday night, which Bobo attended.

The indictment, which was handed down during the October Grand Jury session, shows the details of the case are related to a family matter and not involving her role in city government. Bobo confirmed this in a statement to Patch Tuesday morning, saying the accusations relate to an ongoing dispute regarding the estates of her deceased parents.

The Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court indictment obtained by Patch alleges that Bobo "did knowingly obtain or exert unauthorized control to obtain" property owned by the estate of her late father. The property in question includes a Kubota mower, a John Deere tractor, utility trailers, vehicles, firearms, tools, and other property that has a total value in excess of $2,500, which is the threshold amount for felony theft.

"The matters have been in civil court for process with pending upcoming court dates," Bobo said. "Last night’s events were an attempt to abuse the system for financial gain to sway the civil cases already undergoing extensive litigation. Allegations have been presented in civil court to which I have responded.Trying to attach a criminal charge is nothing more than a ploy to gain an advantage in a civil matter to try to stir up charges that are simply not true."

If convicted of a felony, regardless of its connection to her elected position, Bobo would no longer be eligible to hold public office, according to Alabama Code §36-2-1. In the interim, state law permits those charged with a felony to serve in office pending a conviction.

She was first elected in 2020 and sworn in to her office to represent District 1 last September.

When she was sworn in, Patch reported Bobo was the first woman ever appointed to a Northport City Council seat.

"It is disheartening that some people would go to these lengths to try to discredit my character for their own financial gain," Bobo went on to say Tuesday. "I was always taught you don’t try to build yourself up by tearing somebody else down."

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