Melba Till Allen
American politician (1933–1989)
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Melba Till Allen (March 3, 1933 – October 20, 1989) was an American politician who served as the Auditor of Alabama from 1967 to 1975 and as the Treasurer of Alabama from 1975 to 1978.[1][2] In 1972, she challenged incumbent Senator John Sparkman in the Democratic primary; she earned 29.48% of the vote and nearly forced Sparkman into a run-off, but was defeated.[3]
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Melba Till Allen | |
|---|---|
Allen in 1978 | |
| 34th Treasurer of Alabama | |
| In office January 21, 1975 – June 8, 1978 | |
| Governor | George Wallace |
| Preceded by | Agnes Baggett |
| Succeeded by | Annie Laurie Gunter |
| Auditor of Alabama | |
| In office January 17, 1967 – January 21, 1975 | |
| Governor | Lurleen Wallace Albert Brewer George Wallace |
| Preceded by | Bettye Frink |
| Succeeded by | Bettye Frink |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 3, 1933 |
| Died | October 20, 1989 (aged 56) |
| Party | Democratic |
Allen was convicted in 1978 of using her office to obtain favorable bank loans for several personal businesses including a religious theme park. She failed to disclose these business ventures and a full disclosure of her personal finances. She was sentenced to six years in jail and three and a half years of probation.[4][5]
She died of cancer on October 20, 1989, in Montgomery, Alabama at age 56.[6]