Former State Lawmaker Sentenced to 33 Months in Prison

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2018/09/IMG_1336.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:1920;s:6:"height";i:1900;s:4:"file";s:20:"2018/09/IMG_1336.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:13:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"IMG_1336-336x333.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:333;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:5:"large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"IMG_1336-771x763.jpg";s:5:"width";i:771;s:6:"height";i:763;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"IMG_1336-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:12:"medium_large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"IMG_1336-768x760.jpg";s:5:"width";i:768;s:6:"height";i:760;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"1536x1536";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:22:"IMG_1336-1536x1520.jpg";s:5:"width";i:1536;s:6:"height";i:1520;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:18:"IMG_1336-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"IMG_1336-600x338.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:338;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"IMG_1336-600x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"IMG_1336-314x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:314;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"IMG_1336-268x265.jpg";s:5:"width";i:268;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:28:"ab-block-post-grid-landscape";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"IMG_1336-600x400.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:400;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:25:"ab-block-post-grid-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"IMG_1336-600x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"IMG_1336-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

    [_imagify_optimization_level] => Array
        (
            [0] => 0
        )

    [_imagify_data] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:2:{s:5:"sizes";a:10:{s:4:"full";a:4:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:13:"original_size";i:1084236;s:14:"optimized_size";i:456290;s:7:"percent";d:57.920000000000002;}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:13:"original_size";i:6063;s:14:"optimized_size";i:5744;s:7:"percent";d:5.2599999999999998;}s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:13:"original_size";i:22035;s:14:"optimized_size";i:21198;s:7:"percent";d:3.7999999999999998;}s:5:"large";a:4:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:13:"original_size";i:102860;s:14:"optimized_size";i:97824;s:7:"percent";d:4.9000000000000004;}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:13:"original_size";i:2805;s:14:"optimized_size";i:2611;s:7:"percent";d:6.9199999999999999;}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:4:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:13:"original_size";i:35344;s:14:"optimized_size";i:33500;s:7:"percent";d:5.2199999999999998;}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:4:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:13:"original_size";i:18555;s:14:"optimized_size";i:17892;s:7:"percent";d:3.5699999999999998;}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:13:"original_size";i:19916;s:14:"optimized_size";i:19103;s:7:"percent";d:4.0800000000000001;}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:13:"original_size";i:15329;s:14:"optimized_size";i:14715;s:7:"percent";d:4.0099999999999998;}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:13:"original_size";i:5141;s:14:"optimized_size";i:4846;s:7:"percent";d:5.7400000000000002;}}s:5:"stats";a:3:{s:13:"original_size";i:1312284;s:14:"optimized_size";i:673723;s:7:"percent";d:48.659999999999997;}}
        )

    [_imagify_status] => Array
        (
            [0] => success
        )

    [_media_credit] => Array
        (
            [0] => Sherrel Wheeler Stewart
        )

    [_navis_media_credit_org] => Array
        (
            [0] => WBHM 90.3 FM
        )

    [_navis_media_can_distribute] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

)
1667100294 
1538067490

A federal judge on Thursday sentenced former Alabama Rep. Oliver Robinson to 33 months in prison and three years of supervised release for his role in a bribery scheme to block the expansion of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency cleanup site in North Birmingham and Tarrant.

Robinson pleaded guilty to encouraging residents not to have their soil tested for contaminants in exchange for bribes. He also diverted money from his campaign account and nonprofit account for personal use.

After pleading guilty, he cooperated with federal prosecutors in investigations that led to the conviction of former Balch & Bingham attorney Joel Gilbert and David Roberson, a  Drummond Company executive. They are scheduled for sentencing Oct. 23.

“Robinson betrayed his constituents and neighbors in north Birmingham and Tarrant, selling his elected office to special interests for personal profit,” Jay Town, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District, said in a statement Thursday. “An elected official can scarcely commit a more egregious crime.”

Robinson was in the Legislature 18 years before resigning abruptly in 2016. He can never again serve in an elected office.

A former star on UAB’s first basketball team, Robinson was drafted into the NBA in the first round in 1982. After an injury, Robinson returned to Birmingham as a businessman, then entered politics.

Before Judge Abdul Kallon read his sentence, Robinson stepped up to the podium and apologized to the community, his family and to UAB.

“Every day I look at my wife and children, knowing I have negatively changed their lives,” Robinson said.

The courtroom was full. The crowd included Robinson’s pastor, Rev. Thomas Beavers, former teammates and Dr. Frank Sutton, who teaches a Bible study Robinson attends on Thursdays.

Sutton, who was also the team doctor when Robinson played basketball in college, spoke on Robinson’s behalf. He said Robinson is broken and will do more good for the community in the future.

Daryl Braden, one of Robinson’s former UAB teammates also addressed the court. He said Robinson encouraged him when he made bad decisions and helped him to bounce back.

Prosecutors asked the judge to give Robinson a lighter sentence because he cooperated in the trial that led to other convictions.

“Every prosecutorial instinct I had was to sock it to him, but he is the only elected official I know who has humbly accepted responsibility,” George Martin, assistant U.S. Attorney said.

In addition to the prison sentence, Robinson was ordered to pay $161,151 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service. He also will be ordered to forfeit money received from bribes, Kallon said.

Robinson must report to prison on Nov. 27. Kallon is asking that Robinson be placed in a facility as close as possible to his home state.

 

Breaking down Alabama’s CHOOSE Act

It’s been a year since Alabama legislators passed the CHOOSE Act allowing families to apply for state funds to use towards homeschool expenses and tuition for participating private schools. The Alabama Daily News’ education reporter Trisha Powell Crain has been diving into how the funds are being used. WBHM’s Andrew Gelderman sat down with her to talk about what we’re seeing so far.

Huntsville is growing fast. Here’s how it’s stayed affordable

Home prices are rising in Huntsville, but so far, the city’s avoided the skyrocketing costs in other boom towns.

What are your unique holiday traditions? NPR wants to know

The holiday season is full of traditions and we all celebrate them a bit differently. NPR wants to your most unique holiday traditions. What makes celebrating this time of year feel special for you?

What are your unique holiday traditions? NPR wants to know

The holiday season is full of traditions and we all celebrate them a bit differently. NPR wants to your most unique holiday traditions. What makes celebrating this time of year feel special for you?

3 culinary tricks that might get you to eat more veggies, according to chef Roy Choi

Chef Roy Choi, known for his Korean-Mexican fusion food trucks, focuses on veggie-forward dishes in a new cookbook. He shares techniques to get you excited about your greens, plus 3 flavorful sauces.

3 culinary tricks that might get you to eat more veggies, according to chef Roy Choi

Chef Roy Choi, known for his Korean-Mexican fusion food trucks, focuses on veggie-forward dishes in a new cookbook. He shares techniques to get you excited about your greens, plus 3 flavorful sauces.

More Front Page Coverage