By Alabama Public Radio
Birmingham, AL – US District Court Judge Sharon Blackburn says Patterson, who is a former Community Bank chairman and CEO, would have been given a stronger sentence, if it wasn't for his age and medical condition. Patterson was convicted along with Larry Bishop, who was the bank's vice president of construction and maintenance, and Jimmie Childers, owner of J-and-M Materials. The men were convicted on charges including conspiracy, bank fraud, misapplication of bank funds and false entries. Patterson was also charged with filing false tax returns. Sentencing dates for Bishop and Childers have not been set and the court will determine restitution and a term of supervised release for Patterson at a later date.