FBI arrests Birmingham, Alabama, mayor

[SoCalDem]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/12/01/birmingham.mayor/?iref=mpstoryview

(CNN) -- The FBI on Monday arrested the mayor of Birmingham, Alabama, on federal charges including conspiracy, bribery, fraud, money laundering and filing false income tax returns.
Mayor Larry Langford, right, appears at a news conference Monday in Birmingham, Alabama.

Mayor Larry Langford, right, appears at a news conference Monday in Birmingham, Alabama.

Larry Langford, 62, is named in an indictment that alleges criminal activity while he was a county commissioner, said U.S. Attorney Alice Martin.

As president of the Jefferson County Commission and head of its department of finance and general services from November 2002 until about November 2006, Langford put his personal affairs ahead of those of the county, Martin said.

"Our investigation has revealed, and the indictment alleges, that Langford sold his public office to his friends and political supporters," Martin said.

Also named in the 101-count indictment are William Blount, 55, a Montgomery, Alabama, investment banker, and Albert LaPierre, 58, a Birmingham lobbyist, neither of whom returned calls from CNN.

"Langford steered lucrative business to William Blount and his company and he, in turn, earned in excess of $7.1 million and, with the help of lobbyist Albert LaPierre, they ensured that Larry Langford's crushing personal debts were paid off through payoffs of loans, store charge accounts, purchases of clothing and jewelry and other items of value that exceeded $230,000 over a period from 2002 to 2006," Martin said.

snip

check out this 1970's pic of him:)..wicked moustache going on there:)

[keopeli]

1. Try putting Cheney's name in that sentence and see how it feels

"<Cheney> steered lucrative business to <Halliburton> and he, in turn, earned in excess of $7.1 million..."

Anyone wanna bet the figure for Cheney is MUCH higher than 7.1 mil?

[SoCalDem]

3. If only.. I guess we can dream, eh?

I'm pretty sure ole Dickie will slither back to Wyoming, and fall flat on his face, dead..in some trout stream one day..

The truly evil ones, usually exit quickly..:(

[Greyskye]

2. Good riddance

Even if he is a Dem, from what it sounds like he's a terrible one. Wikipedia (for what it's worth) makes him out to be a bible thumping anti-gay crook with poor judgment. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Langford

[Ghost in the Machine]

4. Doesn't sound like much of a Democrat...

"Church and state
Langford has been both praised and criticized for the degree to which his Christian faith informs his political agenda. He holds Bible studies for municipal workers at City Hall each week and is a frequent speaker at public prayer services and at Church events.

On April 22, 2008 Langford issued a proclamation on city letterhead proclaiming the following Friday to be "It's Time to Pray" in the City of Birmingham. He called upon "all Bishops, Priests, Pastors, Ministers and all of our citizens of various denominations and creeds" to join him in donning burlap sacks and having their heads smeared with ashes during a prayer rally at Boutwell Auditorium. The display, part of his "Plan 10/30" series of anti-crime rallies, was intended to show humility and restore God's favor to a city wracked with violence. Anticipating complaints from defenders of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, Langford stated that "the Constitution of the United States calls for a separation of church and state - it never said anything about a separation of church from state.”<6>


Pride Week controversy
Langford injured relations with the Birmingham LGBT community in May 2008 when he refused to sign a proclamation for the annual Central Alabama Pride Parade, refused to allow banners on city property for the event, and refused to issue the sponsor a parade permit. Langford further stated that it was inappropriate for the government to condone a lifestyle. He was quoted in saying "My policy is don't ask because it's not my business, and don't put me in the position to make it my business."

"I thought I had stated my position very clearly. If I were to sign the permit to put up banners on city right of ways I would be condoning that which I don't condone," he said. "To give a proclamation is totally under the purview of the mayor."<7>"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Langford

[pacalo]

5. I'm still waiting for Alice Martin to be indicted for abuse of public office

corruption of public trust, & conspiracy for her role in the Siegelmann case.

Can hardly wait until Congress holds hearings in regard to the Siegelmann case & the US attorneys firings.