Another mayor in trouble: Birmingham

[2muchcoffeeman]

http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2008/12/fbi-arrests-bir.html?csp=34

Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford was arrested early this morning, according to reports from Alabama.

The Birmingham News says FBI agents took the Democratic politician into custody to face unknown federal charges. The arrest follows a lengthy investigation into allegations of financial irregularities while Langford ran the Jefferson County, Ala., Commission, the paper says.

The Associated Press is reporting that federal prosecutors will hold a news conference this morning.

One suspects that this won't be as lurid as Detroit, but who knows?

 

[slappy4428]

Actually, it's an ongoing thing and the feds have nicked several former county commissioners for bribes.
Dixie's got a thread around here somewhere, but it's all tied into a sewer bond scandal that's been going on since the 90s that will probably have the county declaring bankruptcy...

 

[Armchair_QB]

http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2008/12/fbi-arrests-bir.html?csp=34

Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford was arrested early this morning, according to reports from Alabama.

The Birmingham News says FBI agents took the Democratic politician into custody to face unknown federal charges. The arrest follows a lengthy investigation into allegations of financial irregularities while Langford ran the Jefferson County, Ala., Commission, the paper says.

The Associated Press is reporting that federal prosecutors will hold a news conference this morning.

One suspects that this won't be as lurid as Detroit, but who knows?

Well, I don't think he had a stripper killed so probably not.

 

[slappy4428]

No, but will be a wonderful look into that grand old tradition of corruption...

 

[Fenian_Bastard]

Not for nothing, but is the FBI and the DOJ investigating any white politicians for anything?
And, given the DOJ meddling in Alabama over the past 20 years -- it's where Karl got his start, after all -- I'm going to need a big old offer of proof before I believe anything they say.

 

[dixiehack]

Not for nothing, but is the FBI and the DOJ investigating any white politicians for anything?

Ask the lady who was the latest to cop a plea, helping put the case over the top at last.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081201/ap_on_bi_ge/birmingham_mayor

Also, Mary Buckelew, a Republican and former county president of the county commission, pleaded guilty in October to lying to a federal grand jury investigating the bond deals. She admitted to lying when she said she did not receive about $4,000 worth of shoes, a purse and spa treatments from an investment banker, identified as Blount in the indictment, during three trips to New York to discuss bond financing. She is cooperating with investigators and will be sentenced later.

 

[tapintoamerica]

The story says the guy was arrested at the beer distributor at which he works as a PR guy.
The mayor's job in Birmingham, Ala., isn't a full-time gig? Amazing.

 

[tapintoamerica]

And another thing: Does this mean there's panic on the streets of Birmingham?

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

Not for nothing, but is the FBI and the DOJ investigating any white politicians for anything?
And, given the DOJ meddling in Alabama over the past 20 years -- it's where Karl got his start, after all -- I'm going to need a big old offer of proof before I believe anything they say.

They're investigating lots of 'em in Cleveland.

 

[dixiehack]

For those needing to catch up on past episodes:

http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/53546/

 

[Double J]

Actually, it's an ongoing thing and the feds have nicked several former county commissioners for bribes.

 

[slappy4428]

Those busted previously in this whole mess, the father of one of the four girls killed in the 16th St. Baptist Church bombing years ago...
If the Jefferson County Commission from 1995-2006 were any more corrupt, this would be Louisiana.

 

[markvid]

And another thing: Does this mean there's panic on the streets of Birmingham?

I hope Dreamland is safe.

 

[slappy4428]

I hope Dreamland is safe.

The good one is in Tuscaloosa... but it's all overrated...

And another thing: Does this mean there's panic on the streets of Birmingham?

Nope. Gunfire is at a normal pace...

 

[Football_Bat]

And another thing: Does this mean there's panic on the streets of Birmingham?

Hang the blessed DJ!

 

[markvid]

I hope Dreamland is safe.

The good one is in Tuscaloosa... but it's all overrated...

And another thing: Does this mean there's panic on the streets of Birmingham?

Nope. Gunfire is at a normal pace...

Really? Why don't you like Dreamland?

 

[hondo]

And another thing: Does this mean there's panic on the streets of Birmingham?

Because there's no beer?

 

[Point of Order]

I hope Dreamland is safe.

The good one is in Tuscaloosa... but it's all overrated...

And another thing: Does this mean there's panic on the streets of Birmingham?

Nope. Gunfire is at a normal pace...

Really? Why don't you like Dreamland?

Dreamland has basically turned into an overpriced tourist trap. They have been living off their sauce (which is still the best) for the past 10 years or so. Back when Big John Bishop was cooking the ribs the old fashioned way they were the best. When his daughter ran the place before she sold the franchise rights and cashed in it was still okay. Now it's VERY hit or miss. It seems like they get their ribs from somewhere different every month because there's never any consistency in the meat quality. For what it's worth, the Dreamland in Montgomery has been more consistent than either of the Tuscaloosa area locations.

If you want good barbecue in Tuscaloosa go to Archibald's. Good luck finding it.

 

[slappy4428]

And another thing: Does this mean there's panic on the streets of Birmingham?

Because there's no beer?

Nah... we have that. Just don't have gambling AND Charlie's strip club closed...

 

[dixiehack]

He gone.

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2009/10/larry_langford_found_guilty.html

Larry Langford, Birmingham's mayor and a former Jefferson County commissioner, has been found guilty in his federal bribery trial.

Langford, who is 61 or 63, was found guilty of taking about $236,000 in cash and gifts from Montgomery investment banker Bill Blount and lobbyist Al LaPierre.

Both pleaded guilty in the case and testified they made cash payments to Langford while he was the president of the Jefferson County Commission to ensure business for Blount's investment bank, Blount Parrish & Co.

"We all have our trials, this too will pass," Langford said as he walked from the courtroom followed closely by his wife.

"The citizens of Birmingham have been fantastic to me," he said outside the courthouse.

He said the verdict will be appealed. "I'm no crybaby, but ..."

"At the end of the day, I shot my best shot, but the jury ruled the way that they did," he said, in a wide-ranging press conference outside court.

"All this trial did was interrupt my Bible study classes for two weeks," he said, adding he faces a potential sentence of 805 years. He said if he lived to be 80, he would have to die and "come back 10 more times" to serve such a sentence.

And somewhere, FB must be smiling, because LaLa and his wife pulled out the race card so fast it left skid marks on the rest of the deck.

http://www.waff.com/Global/story.asp?S=11402755

Langford said racism and biased media coverage led to his conviction.

"This didn't happen just three years ago," Langford said. "The federal goverment has been antagonizing us since 1981."

Langford's wife, Melva, was more blunt.

"A black man cannot get a fair trial," Melva Langford said. "They have been working hard to conspire to hurt him for many years.

Melva Langford said there should be a public investigation of the Justice Department.

"I'm tired of my family being put into a position where i have to defend my family from doing something wrong," she said.