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.
Judge Scott Coogler decided Langford would forfeit $241,843. The lawyers agreed.
Coogler ordered a sentencing report within 90 to 120 days and said Langford would remain free until then on the existing $50,000 unsecured bond.
Birmingham City Council President Carole Smitherman is now mayor of Alabama's largest city. (Corrected: A swearing in is not required)
I do not know all the facts in the case, nor have I ever met Mr. Langford. However, it seems as if he is, in fact, guilty of various forms of corruption while in office, and therefore I am glad that he was caught and will be punished. Corruption in public officials is something that cannot be tolerated if we want our system to work.
That said, and keeping in mind the problems the Birmingham City Council has been experiencing lately... I'm not sure the temporary replacement will be much better. I sincerely hope I'm wrong, but...
Just three observations. First, I'm absolutely shocked that they convicted him on all 60 convictions. Even if the President wanted to pardon him...it'll be practically impossible. And the ability to get a dozen charges tossed...really doesn't help much at all.
ReplyDeleteSecond...there's a likely 24-hour pause, and then corruption will go back to the 100 percent level. Folks will discuss Larry and where he screwed up but honestly...nothing is going to change.
Third and final...Larry will write a book within a year...on how religion changed his life....I will predict.