Comments on: More on Johnson Plea Deal

by: Brian

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 04:23:57 +0000

[sarcasm on]
Danny, you’re a GOP hack! How dare you post a story about Democrats behaving badly. Did Rove put you up to this? Set up!
[sarcasm off]

I don’t see how Mary Jane Caylor survives this. Both Johnson and Turnham have independently pled that they gave her $7,500 of the illicit money.

by: Susan

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 23:37:12 +0000

Danny, I’d like to thank you for covering this story. I’ve looked around at some of the blogs that like to rant about the specks they think they see in other’s eyes–Legal Schnauzer, Locust Fork, Left in Alabama, Birmngham Blues, No Comment, AlaDems, etc. and as of 5:30 pm on Jan 25th, there is not a single word about this story on any of these blogs. Their silence is deafening.

Susan

ps–And I think this should demonstrate that the Political Parlour covers all of political news in the state–not just information benefiting one side over the other.

by: anonymous

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 03:45:31 +0000

Dems ain’t the only ones sweating.

by: walt moffett

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 01:32:06 +0000

Actually, from the newspapers, he made the deal to save his children from indictment. Interesting is the implied “other” districts may take action, which may refresh his memory.

by: Stool Pigeon

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:29:49 +0000

He’s a rat, and he is singing or his supper.
They’re not getting Dr. Paul or any big fish, this is the work one bad apple who got some power and went power mad.

As for the $7,000,000 like Bush said to the terrorists: “Bring em on.”

by: Anonymous

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:23:52 +0000

Wonder how the fallout from this fits into plan 2010? Can’t beat em, indict em. Creative way to gain the majority.

That being said, I have no qualms about prosecuting corrupt public officials, so long as the policy is uniformly applied to both parties.

Looks like this could get ugly for the Dems.

by: walt moffett

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:48:27 +0000

Thanks for the quotes of the fed’s information file.

Looks like brown trouser time on Goat Hill.

by: Reactionary

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:11:51 +0000

Johnson plead guilty to fifteen counts (summary of the Johnson Information pdf):

Count 1 - Conspiracy to Commit Bribery - names co-conspirators James Hayes (ACCESS Software, Jasper) and Lanier Higgins (Johnson’s driver and personal assistant).

Count 2 - Bribery

Count 3 - Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering

Count 4 - Conspiracy to Commit Bribery - names coconspirator Timothy Turnham (Alabama Contract Sales, Opelika).

Count 5 - Bribery

Count 6 - Obstructing an Official Proceeding

Count 7 - Conspiracy to Commit Bribery - names coconspirator “Senior Architect” of “Architectural Firm” in Calhoun County.

Count 8 - Bribery

Count 9 - Witness Tampering - Johnson intended to influence the testimony of Julian Jenkins.

Count 10 - Conspiracy to Commit Bribery - names coconspirator “Construction Manager” of “Construction Firm” in Tuscaloosa County.

Count 11 - Bribery

Count 12 - Conspiracy to Commit Fraud Concerning federal Program Funds - names “Executive Director” of the “Alabama Fire College”, Johnson’s “daughter M.M.”, “K.A.L. relative of the Executive Director”, Johnson’s “son S.J.”.

Count 13 - Conspiracy to Commit Bribery - names “Close Associate and Representative” (”retired employee of Southern Union State Community College in Opelika”) - Johnson directed the Presidents of Snead State, Wallace State, and Ingram State colleges to contract with CloRep for consulting services.

Count 14 - Bribery

Count 15 - Criminal Forfeiture - Johnson forfeits $18,206,485.97 and house in Opelika.

The Plea Agreement (pdf) names Timothy Turnham (ACS), “State Board of Education member who was running for Mayor of Huntsville”, Winston Hayes (ACCESS), &c.

“Johnson used his official position to assist the relatives of Members of the State Board of Education obtain employment within the Department of Postsecondary Education. Johnson provided secret political support to Board Members by directing money and other campaign assistance to them. Johnson also used his official position to secure and retain employment for legislators within the system.”

Johnson is expected to provide “substantial assistance” for a reduced sentence and has waived his right to appeal.