Former Etowah County Coroner arrested

Michael Jason Gladden

Former Etowah County Coroner Michael Jason Gladden, of Gadsden, was arrested on Tuesday, charged with one felony count of first degree theft by deception, and twelve misdemeanor counts of failing to file a required report.   Gladden is accused of taking $40,207.38 in deceptive payments from the Etowah County Commission.  During his tenure as Etowah County coroner he submitted falsified mileage information and received the monies in exchange for duties he did not perform.     He is also accused of knowingly failing to file the monthly report of deaths in Etowah County dating back to January 2014.  The reports are required by law and are to be filed with the Alabama Department of Public Health.  Sheriff Todd Entrekin said The investigation began when family members of the deceased questioned the length of time it was taking to receive results from toxicology reports, thru the inquiry of the complaints the deceptive theft of monies and failure to file reports were discovered.  The investigation is ongoing.