Birmingham, Ala., mayor convicted of taking bribes (Larry Langford - Democrat)

Associated Press ^ | 10-29-09 | JAY REEVES

[Justaham]

Note: Notice how AP does not mention Larry Langford is a Democrat!

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - A federal jury convicted Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford on Wednesday on all charges of accepting bribes in exchange for funneling $7.1 million in bond business to a prominent investment banker. As a convicted felon, Langford was automatically removed from the office he won in a landslide in 2007.

Jurors deliberated less than two hours before returning their sweeping verdict on all 60 counts. It came after six days of testimony in which they heard Langford accepted cash and luxury items worth some $236,000 while serving as president of the Jefferson County Commission. In exchange, prosecutors said, Langford sent lucrative bond business to investment banker Bill Blount.

[TribalPrincess2U]

On December 1, 2008, Larry Langford was arrested by the FBI on a 101-count indictment alleging conspiracy, bribery, fraud, money laundering, and filing false tax returns in connection with a long-running bribery scheme.

Prior to the guilty verdict, Larry Langford stated that he was confident in his chances of winning the case. However, the verdict came back in less than two hours, as jurors apparently had no hesitancy in finding Langford guilty.

The jury obviously had no doubt that Mr. Langford accepted more than $230,000 in cash, expensive clothing and jewelry in exchange for steering $7.1 million in county bond business to his friend, Montgomery investment banker Bill Blount. Langford was found guilty of bribery, mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering and filing false tax returns.

Now a convicted felon, Larry Langford not only gives up his position as Mayor, he had to immediately give up his passport and cannot have any guns in his possession.

“This is a good day for Jefferson County because a corrupt politician was convicted,” Assistant United States Attorney George Martin stated after Langford’s guilty verdict. “It is also a sad day for Jefferson County because a corrupt politician was convicted.”

“We all have trials in our life,” Langford said outside of the courthouse. “I don’t agree with the verdict but it’s done.” Langford maintained his innocence, and plans to appeal. “I’m not the only person who has gone on trial for something that they didn’t do. But if you expect to see me crying with my head dropped, you’ve picked the wrong one,” he said.

Oh, he’s innocent hahahahahaha. Must be a 0 relative.

[BJClinton]

I guarantee you the brain dead voters in Birmingham would vote him back in. Why?



I read there was some gay twist to this too. Like he wouldn't issue a permit for the Gay Pride parade but it turns out he was hiring gay escorts with his ill gotten gains.