Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford Arrested

From The Birmingham News:

Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford was arrested this morning on federal charges and is being held at the federal courthouse, the FBI and other federal officials confirm.

A special grand jury for several months has been investigating county bond deals and Langford's financial dealings. Langford was Jefferson County Commission president 2002-06.

101-count indictment:

A 101-count federal indictment unsealed today charges Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford, Montgomery investment banker William Blount, Blount Parrish and Co. and longtime Langford friend Al LaPierre with a series of crimes in connection with Jefferson County bond transactions and swap agreements.  

The indictment charges the three men and Blount Parrish and Co. with conspiracy, bribery, fraud, money laundering, and filing false tax returns in connection with a long-running bribery scheme.

Drip, drip, drip:

Former Jefferson County Commissioner John Katopodis was indicted in October on fraud charges stemming from his involvement with Computer Help for Kids, a charity established by Langford when Langford was mayor of Fairfield. Katapodis was arraigned on those charges in mid-November.

Some background on that story here.

Langford's cheerleaders defend the mayor, suggesting a political hit by U.S. Attorney Alice Martin:

This statement was released from the mayor's chief of staff, Deborah Vance-Bowie.:

"As you know, the Mayor was detained this morning by federal authorities. We do not know the details of his detention at this time. City business will go on as usual as we are all here to do a job and we'll continue to do our jobs to ensure we deliver the best services to the taxpayers of Birmingham. This is certainly no surprise to us -- we anticipated something happening soon especially knowing Alice Martin's days in office are numbered with the swearing in of a new president in late January -- just a little over a month from now. We are glad the mayor will finally have his day in court. As members of his team, we stand behind him and look forward to the day when we can return the focus to the important issues before the city."

There are none so blind. 

Here is a link to the indictment.

Comments

[Scott Allan]

I think it might be time for me to run for Mayor of Birmingham.

[Julie]

Yes! Lord knows they really, really need you. Now, when can I announce it on my new blog? (Tentative title: ScottAllanformayor.com)

[linda]

Now Julie, you know he is innocent!

[Julie]

I know, Linda. Poor guy's been set up. He was out of town that, those all those days when that stuff happened :)