Corruption
Alabama state lawmaker Rogers to plead guilty to federal charges
The charges are related to what federal prosecutors described as a kickback scheme that diverted money from a state fund intended to pay for community projects in Jefferson County.
State Rep. John Rogers charged with obstruction of justice
The indictment accuses Rogers, a Democrat from Birmingham, and his assistant of offering additional grant money as a bribe to persuade a person to give false information to federal agents who were investigating possible kickbacks that prosecutors said were paid to Rogers' assistant.
Investigation accuses Alabama Power of funneling money to local news sites for favorable coverage
A trove of leaked documents allegedly shows Alabama Power indirectly and covertly paid news outlets for favorable coverage. A story from NPR and the nonprofit news collaborative Floodlight says the practice continued for almost a decade and hid transactions by utilizing nonprofits and shell companies.
Former Governor Turns Attention to Criminal Justice System Following Release From Prison
Former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman maintains he is innocent despite a federal bribery conviction. In a new book he says changes are needed to how prosecutors operate.
John Archibald says Former Birmingham Water Works Board President’s Sentence a Slap on the Wrist
Sherry Lewis, the former chair of the Birmingham Water Works Board, will not go to prison despite being convicted of two felony ethics charges. A judge sentenced Lewis Thursday.
A Top State Corruption Fighter Resigns. Now What?
He was a bulldog and an outspoken defender of ethics in state politics. As deputy attorney general, Matt Hart indicted several state and local leaders on corruption charges. Now Hart is out of a job. Attorney General Steve Marshall has already appointed Hart's replacement. What does this mean for the state's efforts to keep corrupt politicians in check?
Former State Rep. Oliver Robinson To Be Sentenced in Bribery Scheme
Former State Rep. Oliver Robinson is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday in federal court. Federal prosecutors asked the judge in a filing earlier this week to give Robinson a lighter sentence because he pleaded guilty, accepted responsibility for his actions and cooperated with investigators.
Local NAACP Leader Says He’s Not Resigning Following Concerns Over Bribery Trial
The local NAACP president says he’s not stepping down amid calls for his resignation. Testimony and emails presented in a recent federal bribery trial showed Hezekiah Jackson through his contacts worked to convince North Birmingham residents not to have their soil tested for contamination.
Bribery Trial Guilty Verdict Sends Message Through Alabama Politics
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald reacts to the bribery conviction of a Birmingham attorney and a coal company executive saying it sends a message to those who believe this is business as usual.
Birmingham Attorney, Coal Executive Found Guilty of Bribing State Lawmaker
An attorney with Birmingham firm Balch & Bingham and an executive with coal company Drummond have been convicted of bribing a state lawmaker to stop expansion of an environmental cleanup site around north Birmingham.
Federal Bribery Trial Digs into Lobbying Around Birmingham Superfund Site
The prosecution has rested its case in the federal corruption trial of two Birmingham attorneys and a coal company vice president. The question is whether they bribed a state lawmaker to fight efforts to clean up a polluted Birmingham neighborhood.
The Story Behind Alabama’s Latest Public Corruption Case
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses a corruption case involving two state lawmakers, a lobbyist and a California healthcare company.
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, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Ex-State Lawmaker Oliver Robinson to Plead Guilty In Federal Bribery Case
Former State Representative Oliver Robinson will plead guilty to federal charges of conspiracy, bribery, tax evasion and wire fraud in a scheme to block expansion of a Superfund site.
The Definition of Ethics In Alabama is..
If you look for a definition of the word, “ethics,” terms come up like, “moral principles,” and “the concept of right and wrong.” Appropriate behavior, or noting the lack of it. Kyle Whitmire, political columnist for the Birmingham News and AL.COM, notes that the latest changes to ethics laws in Alabama have allowed for a […]
Corruption in Alabama: The Role of the State Ethics Commission
We continue our examination of corruption that appears to plague Alabama politics
How Do You Solve a Problem Like Corruption in Alabama?
Alabama has a corruption problem. Former House Speaker Mike Hubbard is currently awaiting sentencing for 12 felony ethics convictions, Chief Justice Roy Moore is scheduled to go to trial for allegedly violating judicial ethics and Governor Robert Bentley is being investigated for possible impeachment. So, is there a way to solve the state’s corruption problem?
Former Birmingham CEO Convicted on 98 Counts of Fraud
A federal jury in Birmingham convicted the former CEO of two non-profit health clinics for the poor and homeless on 98 counts including conspiracy, bank fraud and money laundering.
The Post-Hubbard Landscape for Alabama Politics
A new political landscape is emerging in Alabama following last week’s conviction of now former Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard. On Friday night, a jury in Lee County convicted Hubbard on 12 felony ethics charges. He could face up to 20 years in prison for each charge. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald watched much of the testimony and was there as the verdict came down. He spoke with WBHM's Andrew Yeager.
“Friendship” Playing Big Role in Hubbard Trial
The trial of House Speaker Mike Hubbard has brought to light some curious aspects of Alabama ethics law, most notably a provision regarding friendship. Hubbard took the stand in his own defense this week and testified about how he emailed so-called "friends" for business opportunities and advice when he was laid off in 2011.
Scandal Uncovers Bentley’s Involvement in Trial of Speaker Mike Hubbard
Following the eruption of a scandal involving Governor Robert Bentley and his now former top political adviser, Rebekah Caldwell Mason, the governor is refusing to step down, despite mounting pressure from Alabama lawmakers. And Bentley’s involvement in the ethics trial of House Speaker Mike Hubbard is made clear following disclosure by fired Alabama Law Enforcement […]
Reveals in Case of Speaker Mike Hubbard Could Mean Trouble for Prosecutors
There’s been a big reveal in the ethics trial of House Speaker Mike Hubbard that carries potential danger for prosecutors, and U.S. Senator Richard Shelby has quickly progressed from inspirational campaign commercials to attack ads spearing his Republican opponents. Kyle Whitmire has more on this.
JeffCo Residents Left Paying Bill on Billion Dollar Utility Scandal
Another Alabama lawmaker uses social media as a political podium, this time encouraging his followers to buy more guns, a settlement regarding a major banking institution may have a lasting and negative impact on Jefferson County residents and is Kyle Whitmire the Archie Bunker of the new millennium? The answer in this week’s conversation with […]
State’s Response to Rural Driver’s License Office Closures not Enough for the Black Belt
Calls are growing for the Justice Department to investigate how the closure of 31 rural driver’s license offices may affect voting. The state closed those offices last week due to budget cuts. The problem, say civil rights advocates, is residents must have a photo ID to vote. The most common ID is a driver’s license and Alabama now has 31 fewer places to get a new drivers license. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says state officials are taking steps to address the situation, but it’s not enough for the Black Belt. That's an area of the state that’s poor, largely African American and disproportionately hit by the closures.
Emails Paint House Speaker as Eager to Make Money off his Office
Political observers have been watching the lead up to Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard's corruption trial in periodic salvos tossed from both sides. Hubbard is scheduled to go on trial next year accused of using his public office for personal gain. The latest bomb blast comes from prosecutors and they're emails from Hubbard that Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says paint the speaker as the worst kind of politician.
A Prosecutorial Team Back Together
If you're a powerful politician such as a president, senator or governor, you can sometimes get the rock star treatment. But if you're a former federal prosecutor, probably not. It a move though by a federal former federal prosecutor that has Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald celebrating as if the Beatles reunited. He talks about that and a To Kill a Mocking Feud in Monroeville.
A Republican Reversal on Ethics Oversight and Birmingham Festivals find they now owe the City
Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard faces trial on ethics charges this fall. The Republican representative is accused of using his political office for personal gain. Hubbard's defenders contend his prosecution is politically motivated. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says that refrain is familiar. Democrats used to say the same thing when they faced corruption scandals. He talks about this and how Birmingham festivals will now have to pay for city services that used to be provided for free.
UAB’s Football Decision May Have Been Made Earlier
UAB President Ray Watts faces calls for his resignation after documents released this week suggest university leaders considered announcing the end of the school's football, bowling and rifle programs months earlier than they did. The documents come from a public relations firm that was devising a strategy for handling the controversial decision and mentions a task list for an announcement in September. But Watts has said the decision to kill the football program was not made until shortly before the announcement was actually made in December. We talk about the situation with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
John Archibald: Latest Order in Gay Marriage Debate
Alabama probate judges are again in the crosshairs after a state supreme court order Tuesday telling them not to issue marriage licenses to gay couples. This is in opposition to a federal judge's ruling overturning Alabama's ban on gay marriage. We talk about the situation and emails in the Speaker Mike Hubbard corruption case with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
John Archibald: A Spat in the Mike Hubbard Case
A trial for indicted Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard has been delayed until next year, but it hasn't stopped people on both sides from trying to influence public discussion. Hubbard faces 23 corruption charges and Tuesday Acting Attorney General Van Davis released a statement pushing back against Hubbard defenders who say this is a political prosecution. By the end of the day Hubbard's lawyer said he would file new a motion with the court. Alabama Media group columnist John Archibald talks about the tit-for-tat.
John Archibald: Don’t Despair about Political Corruption
Corruption seems to be gaining the spotlight in Alabama politics after being dormant for a few years. That's thanks to the indictment of Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard on 23 corruption charges. He's the latest in a long line of politicians wrapped up in corruption cases. But Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says don't despair.
John Archibald: The Ethics of Economic Development
There's the adage it takes money to make money. An Alabama corollary could be it takes money to recruit jobs as state and local officials recently spent several hundred thousand dollars to attend an international airshow in London. They're hoping to recruit new aerospace business to Alabama. While that's supported by taxpayer dollars, the private money involved has Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald concerned.
