Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced last week that a Talladega County grand jury has indicted a former bookkeeper for the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, accusing her of misusing funds tied to the state-connected institution.
The woman charged, Karen Lakey, 56, of Munford, is accused of using her position for personal financial gain. Prosecutors allege she improperly obtained $159,477.55 from the Hall of Fame while overseeing its books, directing the money to herself or to a family member. She now faces a Class B felony under Alabama’s ethics law.
Marshall said cases like this strike at the heart of public trust. His office’s Special Prosecutions Division presented the case to the grand jury after working alongside the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts, whose financial review first raised concerns.
Lakey surrendered to the Talladega County Sheriff’s Office without incident. As in every criminal case, she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
If convicted, she could face between two and 20 years in prison and fines of up to $30,000.
The indictment arrives amid broader scrutiny of the Hall of Fame, a Talladega landmark next to Talladega Superspeedway.
The museum, founded in 1983, celebrates drivers and innovators who have shaped motorsports history. Financial audits uncovered issues in oversight that prompted state leaders to step in. Governor Kay Ivey replaced the organization’s board in late 2025, signaling the need for stronger governance.
This indictment also follows a separate ethics charge brought against former executive director Mike Raita.
