Man accused of stealing $860K from Chambers County Commission in phishing scam

CHAMBERS COUNTY, Ala. (WRBL) – A New York man is behind bars, accused of playing a key role in a phishing scam that siphoned more than $860,000 in public funds from the Chambers County Commission, according to newly filed court documents obtained by WRBL.

Investigators say 32-year-old Petrus J. Laurent and/or his associates allegedly tricked county staff into wiring $864,079.47 to a fraudulent account he maintained. Investigators say the case is far from over — more arrests could be on the way.

According to the complaint, “Laurent fraudulently obtained $864,079.47 from the Chambers County Commission Office through a phishing email and ACH wire transfer, in violation of Section 13A-8-2.1 of the Code of Alabama, 1975.”

The stolen funds were public money belonging to the county, intended for government operations.

Investigators say Laurent was arrested in New Jersey on September 26 during a routine traffic stop. When officers ran his name, they discovered an outstanding warrant from Chambers County, Alabama. Laurent was later extradited to Alabama and booked into the Chambers County Jail on October 23, 2025, where he remains in custody.

During a bond hearing on October 28, prosecutors argued Laurent should be held without bond, saying no conditions of release would reasonably assure his appearance at future court proceedings. Defense attorney Robin McIntyre asked the court to keep bond discussions open to allow time to review possible options.

In a written order issued the following day, Wednesday, District Judge Terrence A. Brown agreed with the state, ruling Laurent’s release “would not reasonably assure his appearance” and that standard bail guidelines were “inadequate under the facts and circumstances of this case.”

“The State’s request to hold the Defendant without bond pending the resolution of these matters is hereby granted,” Judge Brown wrote in his order dated October 29, 2025.

Laurent remains in custody at the Chambers County Detention Facility. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Taylor-Lee Stokes with the Chambers County District Attorney’s Office.

WRBL has reached out to the Chambers County Commission for additional comment and specifics on how the alleged fishing scam was orchestrated.