State Lawmaker, Former State GOP Head Charged in Corruption Scheme
An Alabama state lawmaker and the former head of the state Republican party have each been arrested in connection with a public corruption scheme. The U.S. Department of Justice announced the charges Monday against state Representative Jack Williams, a Republican from Vestavia Hills, and Marty Connors, a lobbyist and former chairman of the Alabama Republican party.
US Attorney Louis Franklin in Montgomery charged a third person– health care executive G. Ford Gilbert, of Carmichael, California. Gilbert owns Trina Health, which operates diabetes treatment centers around the world. He opened three clinics in Alabama in 2014 and 2015. But according to the indictment, the state’s largest health insurer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, soon after refused to cover treatments at Trina Health. So Gilbert allegedly worked with Williams, the state lawmaker and Connors, the lobbyist, to force a bill through the legislature to make Blue Cross change its position.
Gilbert paid former state House Majority Leader Micky Hammon to back the bill, according to the indictment. And he hired Connors as a lobbyist. The indictment says Williams was recruited to hold a public hearing on the bill.
Charges for all three defendants include conspiracy to commit bribery related to federal programs and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The indictment doesn’t include charges against Hammon, who has already been convicted on federal corruption charges in 2017.
If convicted, the three men could face a maximum of 20 years in prison and financial penalties.
Alabama Power seeks to delay rate hike for new gas plant amid outcry
The state’s largest utility has proposed delaying the rate increase from its purchase of a $622 million natural gas plant until 2028.
Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones announces run for Alabama governor
Jones announced his campaign Monday afternoon, hours after filing campaign paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office. His gubernatorial bid could set up a rematch with U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the Republican who defeated Jones in 2020 and is now running for governor.
Scorching Saturdays: The rising heat threat inside football stadiums
Excessive heat and more frequent medical incidents in Southern college football stadiums could be a warning sign for universities across the country.
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor to join our award-winning team covering important regional stories across Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.
Judge orders new Alabama Senate map after ruling found racial gerrymandering
U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco, appointed by President Donald Trump during his first term, issued the ruling Monday putting a new court-selected map in place for the 2026 and 2030 elections.
Construction on Meta’s largest data center brings 600% crash spike, chaos to rural Louisiana
An investigation from the Gulf States Newsroom found that trucks contracted to work at the Meta facility are causing delays and dangerous roads in Holly Ridge.
