Gov. Kay Ivey last week appointed a woman to the Hale County Board of Registrars who was charged with voter fraud and pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in the case a decade ago.

The governor appointed Rosie Lyles, 79, to the board on Friday. Ivey Press Secretary Gina Maiola said the governor’s office became aware of Lyles’ conviction after the appointment and notified Secretary of State John Merrill, who is the state’s top election official. Maiola said no background check was done before the appointment and that checks are typically not done for registrar appointments.

Court records show that Lyles was charged with four felony counts of absentee voter fraud and one felony count of possession of a forged instrument in 2007. She pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of possession of a forged instrument in the case in 2009. The felony voter fraud charges were dismissed.

Merrill said his office is investigating the situation. Merrill said as secretary of state he can remove a registrar for cause but said it appears that Lyles is qualified to serve as a registrar because the conviction was not a felony.

Lyles answered the phone today at the Hale County Board of Registrars. She said the question of why she should have been appointed is for the governor to answer.

Asked why the voters should trust her in the position, Lyles said, “Because I’m a trustworthy person.” She said she would not have further comment.