ANDALUSIA, Ala. (AP) -- Gov. Bob Riley has appointed Andalusia attorney Ben Bowden to serve as Covington County's probate judge.

The former probate judge, Sherrie Phillips, was convicted of ethics and theft charges last month involving $1.8 million taken from an estate her office was handling.

Bowden is a part-time assistant district attorney in Covington County and is a lawyer with the Air Force's Judge Advocate General's Corps.

Riley said the appointment was effective Friday, but Bowden and Acting Probate Judge Leland Enzor will coordinate the date when Bowden will take the office.