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The big story out of Birmingham this morning is the arrest of Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford on federal charges. The rumor mill has wondered when something like this would happen, and Langford has been said to be “lawyered up” for some time now. A Birmingham wag wants to know if they arrested him at his home in Fairfield. (Birmingham Weekly’s site is reporting that he was arrested at Birmingham Budweiser, “where he has served as a public relations executive in the past.”)
A Birmingham politico tells the Parlor that Langford may continue as mayor until/unless he is convicted. If that happened, City Council President Carole Smitherman would become mayor for three months or until the next scheduled election, whichever comes first.
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From the B’Ham Weekly article –”We are glad the mayor will finally have his day in court.” -his chief of staff
I could not agree more…
WSFA in Montgomery is also reporting that Bill Blount is turning himself in to the Feds at the Montgomery Federal Courthouse this am. Any word on this development?
Birmingham, AL (WSFA) – Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford has been arrested by the FBI.
Authorities say he was arrested this morning on federal charges. He’s being held at the federal courthouse.
We have also learned that Al Lapeirre, a friend of the Mayor’s, is turning himself in to authorities. Bill Blount is also expected to turn himself in to authorities at the Federal Courthouse in Montgomery.
FBI spokesman Paul Daymond said Langford was taken into custody around 7 a.m. by FBI agents in Birmingham.
U.S. Attorney Alice Martin declined to comment on the charges but scheduled a news conference for 10 a.m. with criminal investigators for the Internal Revenue Service.
Langford was president of the Jefferson County Commission before he was elected mayor last year. He’s been accused in a Securities and Exchange Commission lawsuit of taking more than $156,000 from a friend whose firm made millions on risky bond transactions that has pushed the state’s largest county to the brink of bankruptcy.
Langford has denied wrongdoing.
I wonder if Bill Blount is the “a friend whose firm made millions on risky bond transactions”?
Anyone have any info on that?
#4 That is correct
Blount is on the way to turn himself in
’twill be interesting to see what role, if any, that Kay Ivey played in this matter.
been waiting on this one, but never thought the day would come. just hope this won’t be hindered by the new president…
Emmett:
We have’nt heard from you in a while? How are things where you are? We could sure use some good news!
a friend
Couldn’t have happened to a nicer group of guys
Did former Birmingham Budweiser employee and close friend Pat Lynch get indicted also? Rumor has it he is very close with Langford and the Birmingham lobbyist.
Diego,
Thank you for missing me. I have been enjoying retirement up in Chepultepec, but my fears of Kay Ivey coming forth have forced me to renew my contract.
Never forget, Diego, we are the people!
Emmett:
Are you active in ST. Pete’s district?
a friend
Diego,
Yes, George and I are enjoying ourselves here in Chepultepec. We expect to see Kay Ivey any day now here in Chepultepec.
John Killian
Another Sad Day in Jefferson County Politics
Pat Lynch gave the mayor ownership in a land deal(for free) that the mayor used for collateral on one of the loans to LaPiere.
Lynchs’ tactics where questioned last year in the Free The Hops Debacle when obviously caught lying to legislators about ther legislation.
Birmingham Bud needs to dissassociate themselve from Langford and Lynch in the new year.
Pat Lynch has fingerprints all over the Langford deals.