"These records demonstrate unequivocally that what the plaintiffs have alleged did in fact occur. Mr. Langford has, miraculously, won over five hundred and fifty jackpots at VictoryLand," over the last three years, Mann wrote in the motion.
Langford told The Birmingham News on Tuesday he didn't remember winning multiple jackpots on any given day.
"Did you say 36 jackpots? Thirty-six ... jackpots! That's B.S.," Langford said. "I never won 36 jackpots in one ... night in my life."
Whatever you think of the former Birmingham mayor's incredible luck at the slot electronic bingo machines, or his memory lapse regarding that incredible luck, his accountant was savvy enough to report each and every jackpot to the IRS. The Birmingham News put together a neat bar chart showing Langford's 2008 winnings -- $729,000 in just 24 trips to Victoryland.
Of course, when any public official is "winning" this much money, there is potential for corruption (payoffs) or the appearance of payoffs. Langford's IRS records were subpoenaed in a lawsuit alleging that his wins were rigged, to the detriment of other customers in the gambling establishments.
We've all heard the story of how Al Capone was finally sent to prison for failing to report and pay tax on his illegal income. Langford did report his gambling winnings, but here's the part of the story I find even more incredible than the 555 jackpots: Larry Langford's gambling losses exactly equaled his gambling winnings!
... in 2006, he reported winning and losing $227,673. In 2007, he reported $485,633 in gambling winnings and losses. And in 2008, Langford reported winning and losing $810,601.
Exactly the same, right down to the dollar. What are the odds of that happening?
The past 24 hours has been busy for the news cycle involving Birmingham government and politics.
There was a mayoral forum last night hosted by the Birmingham Business Alliance where only 9 of the 15 candidates attended including Jefferson County Commissioner (District 1) William Bell, Birmingham City Council member Carole Smitherman, and interim Birmingham City Council President/President Pro Tem Steven Hoyt. The issues including economic development and what the candidates plan on doing. Word is that other front runner candidates Emory Anthony and Patrick Cooper had prior engagments involving campaigning in individual neighborhoods.
Birmingham mayoral candidate Patrick Cooper calls out the racebaiting of William Bell. During a Sunday morning prayer breakfast in Birmingham in November, Bell called Cooper a "slave trader from Mobile, who will bring back plantation politics to the city". Cooper is biracial, so what does this really say about Bell?
Former mayor Larry Langford, has formally endorsed William Bell for mayor - this was done late last night. This could be a political albatross for him with some voters more than Bell realizes.
As pointed out by fellow contributor and blogger, Kathy, about the legitimacy of the election of Steven Hoyt as Birmingham City Council President Pro Tem/interim City Council President after City Council President/interim mayor Roderick Royal nominated and later voted for Hoyt, The question was it legit since Royal is now interim mayor. Conflicting legal advisors say two different things. The Council legal advisor J. Richmond Pearson says it is questionable, but Assistant City Attorney Malera Wright says that it is legit because he wasn't mayor since the election was over.
This is going to be a LONG week until next Tuesday!
Yesterday Mary Buckelew was sentenced to three years probation for lying to investigators about receiving gifts from Bill Blount. No Jail time although prosecutors recommended a six month sentence.
Today, Jefferson County filed a lawsuit against Larry Langford, JP Morgan, Bill Blount, Al LaPierre, Charles LeCroy and Douglas McFadden. Not named included former Commissioners such as Republicans Gary White and Mary Buckelew.
A cent will never be seen from Langford who will likely see much of the rest of his life in jail. Buckelew on the other hand only had to pay a $20,000 fine for involvement. She's also a person of substantial personal wealth.
Along the way she opened a video rental store, Video Xpress, in Huffman. Within a few years her husband had given up his drug store and the couple owned a chain of 25 video stores.
In 1994, they sold the stores to Movie Gallery. They declined to disclose the sales price, but it reportedly was in the millions of dollars.
JP Morgan is the deep pocket in the lawsuit and I'm sure that the county is hoping that it will settle. But what was the point of naming Langford in the lawsuit and not the other convicted commissioners, especially those that have deep pockets of their own. Buckelew also sold Tannehill Golf Course which she owned for a lot of money.
A changing of the guard today as Carole Smitherman held a press conference on her first day of what may be a very short stint at the helm of the good ship Birmingham.
I listened to Temporary Mayor Smitherman's very somber press conference on the radio in the car this morning. I came away with the impression that she had prayed long and thought hard about her remarks. I believe she did a rather remarkable job in setting the tone of what will be the ardent task of unifying the city.
Smitherman assured us that she will not make drastic changes in her first few days. She will keep on Chief of Staff Deborah Vance Bowie and Chief of Operations Chris Hartsell. She also indicated she would serve dual roles: mayor and city councilor for her district. She did say reviewing city finances with perhaps an audit would be her highest priority.
Birmingham Alabama Mayor Larry Langford was found guilty on all 60 federal counts of bribery, money laundering, conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud and tax evasion.
Langford, a talented politician who can quote bible verses and cuss like a sailor in the same breath, chose not to take the stand. Larry Langford is a complex man that I've known peripherally and observed for 20 years.
The trial lasted 8 days. The jury deliberations lasted 2 hours. Langford immediately vacates the office of Mayor. Langford also will have to forfeit $241,843.
Langford is one of several former Jefferson County Commissioners that have been found guilty or plead guilty to public corruption, bribery charges in the last few years.
(like the forum, we cannot expect whatever it was that we expected... - promoted by herding old cats)
My first Larry Langford experience was 15 years ago as I heard him cuss like a sailor and quote bible verses all in the same breath. I was involved in a live television broadcast for a summer youth jobs program I had helped organize and Larry (Fairfield Mayor at the time) was one of the MC's. I will say that evening that I also witnessed the caring charming Larry who made sure that all the youth got a ride home from the event at the ABC affiliate station.
Since that time, Larry went on to serve as President of the Jefferson County Commission and
then finally achieve his dream of becoming Birmingham mayor. On December 1, 2008 Larry was arrested after being indicted on a number of charges involving conspiracy, bribery, fraud, money laundering and filing false income tax returns.
This coming Monday, Larry will likely go to trial on these charges baring a last minute plea deal or continuance. What will happen is anyone's guess. I doubt he will plea bargain and most I've talked to agree. In fact one credible political insider today told me that he believes Langford might get acquitted on all charges. That would be something.
Insight of media experts - including our own Mooncat - beneath the fold
In light of the ongoing conversation concerning Birmingham, Alabama Mayor Larry Langford and his recent indictment, today's Links I Like are all about Larry.
Danner at 9Numbers offers some Frank Talk about Larry that I find informative and insightful (emphasis mine):
We knew this was coming, but is it really good news?
I’ve been thinking that the views of Langford that get expressed online are not the views of most of the city’s voters, who are probably as skeptical of the government and its idea of justice as they are of Langford’s craziness and preaching. For instance, why’d they nail Langford and not the CEO of JP Morgan?
I’d hate to see all the clever white folk in town go one way on this issue while most black folk go the other way. Seems that one thing we could all agree on is that it’s a setback for the city when the mayor gets arrested.
A 101-count federal indictment announced Monday came as a relief to Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford following more than a year of rumors and speculation, he said.
In an interview with The Birmingham News Tuesday, Langford said he would not let his Monday morning arrest and dozens of criminal charges distract him from his duties as mayor. He said the rumors of an investigation were more of a distraction than his actual arrest and indictment.
"It's not business as usual. It's business more intensified than usual," he said from his office following Tuesday's City Council meeting , where he delivered his regular weekly report. "Now that I know what I'm dealing with, I can now turn all of my attention to carrying out my duties as mayor."
Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford was back in the office today after making bail yesterday (gee, I wonder who put up that $50,000). He spoke to the City Council this morning and told them he will be bringing in a list of new projects next week.
New projects? Oh, fer cryin’ out loud! A quick perusal of Kyle Whitmire’s Larry Langford: The Year in Review should remind all of us just how successful Larry has been at funding and completing new projects. Is it too much to hope that the little matter of his indictment will serve as a wake up call for a city council that has been far too willing to play along with his crazy schemes? I’m not holding my breath.
Birmingham Mayor, Larry Langford, released on bail, after a 101 count Federal indictment was unsealed.
U.S. Attorney Alice Martin announced that Langford, along with friend Al LaPierre and businessman Bill Blount, face charges of conspiracy, bribery, fraud, money laundering and filing false tax returns. Langford was taken into custody at his job at Birmingham Budweiser Distributing. LaPierre turned himself in. Blount was expected to do the same.
Ok. So under normal circumstances, if Alice Martin told me that the sun is directly overhead at noon, I'd have to go outside and look for myself, just to make sure.
But Birmingham Mayor, Larry Langford, has even less credibility with me right now.
Jefferson County is trying to avoid the largest municipal bankruptcy in history. Jefferson County citizens have been hit with huge sewer rate increases (average monthly bill in 1992 was $9.78; now it's $62.90). Sewer bond holders are experiencing tremendous financial uncertainity (full disclosure:my husband and I own some of the almost-worthless sewer bonds).
Not surprisingly, Langford calls this a political prosecution. And certainly, Alice Martin's involvement immediately makes one think so.
Though, as the saying goes, even a broken clock is right twice a day. Sewers, on the whole, usually have an odor about them. And Langford's involvement in this whole mess smells really, really bad.
First thing that's hot on the mayoral front is that Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford has been charged with bribery and money laundering. The charges don't stem from Langford's actions as Mayor of Birmingham, but from his time on the Jefferson County Commission -- you know, the folks who are facing bankruptcy over those sewer bond deals.
Larry Langford, a Democrat, was accused of soliciting $235,000 from William Blount, chairman of Montgomery, Alabama- based bond underwriter Blount Parrish & Co. and lobbyist Albert LaPierre. William Blount helped Langford get a $50,000 loan, and paid for jewelry, a Rolex watch, an Ermenegildo Zegna suit and clothes from Salvatore Ferragamo, according to the indictment. Blount Parrish received about $7.1 million in fees in connection with the deals, which refinanced debt issued for the county’s sewer system.
Langford, 60, “sold out his public office to his friends,” said U.S. Attorney Alice Martin in a news release. “Through a web of financing agreements, Langford required many institutions to use Blount as a consultant so Blount would make fees and, in turn, pay off Langford. It was a classic pay-to- play scheme.”
It's Alice Martin, so I'm tempted to take this with a grain of salt but it sure looks like there was wrong-doing in that sewer bond mess and even a blind pig finds an acorn now and then, so ...
Further south, Montgomery will be electing a new mayor now that Bobby Bright is headed to Washington. Kristopher has some insight on the likely office seekers and a refresher on what happened last time Montgomery had a special mayoral election. Two words: Emory Folmar. Let's hope they do better this time.
Most of the local pundits and talking heads will argue that Birmingham and the surrounding areas lack the economic resources, infrastructure and level of commitment needed from state and local governments to pull off this monumental feat.
However, let me remind you that the city of Atlanta held the Olympics in 1996 because a man named Billy Payne had a dream. Nobody thought Billy Payne and Atlanta could pull this crazy idea off. Well you know the rest of the story as Paul Harvey would say.
The idea of Birmingham hosting the olympics might just be one of "Crazy Larry's" ideas. But it's bold and courageous and would do wonders for Birmingham.
Potential Benefits
If Birmingham exploring a bid to host an Olympics can force us to look at our outdated transit system and figure out ways to make it work then it's already worth the effort. I volunteered for the 1996 Games in Atlanta and understand the transportation problems Atlanta faced. However, Atlanta would have never been able to host the Games without MARTA. Asking the leaders of Birmingham to come up with a plan for Mass Transit has been problematic, but necessary especially with the energy and economic crisis we face.
While many saw Payne's quest for the Olympics as Don Quixotish at first, his enthusiasm became contagious and people developed pride for Atlanta. For Birmingham and surrounding area residents to come together about anything would be a miracle and if it takes another bold initiative by Larry Langford then that's what it will take.
If Birmingham can raise $5 to $10 million to put a bid together, I think it would absolutely do us some good in building community morale and forcing us to deal with infrastructure issues. Look at the money being spent as a large tourism and image campaign raised by private entities and individuals. And if somehow Birmingham makes the final list or even wins the bid imagine the possibilities.
Dream big with us for once and realize that this goes beyond Larry Langford. This goes towards really making a name and creating a new image for this community.
Every time you think Langford can't get any worse. Well, he does. Countrycat
Unbelievable. Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford is refusing to issue a permit or a mayoral proclamation for next month's gay pride festivities for Central Alabama Pride. Isn't it 2008?
Birmingham Mayor's Office: (205) 254-2277
Birmingham News: Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford won’t sign a proclamation for an annual gay pride celebration or allow banners on city property, and said he will not grant the sponsoring group a parade permit.
Langford said he turned down the requests this week from Central Alabama Pride because it is inappropriate for government to endorse a lifestyle. Pride Week is next month and often includes a parade on Southside and other events.
But what about a newspaper that is on the payroll of a U.S. Attorney? A U. S. Attorney who is part of the GOP Political Hit Squad now ravaging our state in pursuit of every opposing voice? Your tax dollars pay them. Supposedly they represent YOU, not the GOP.
When asked about charges that someone had bribed newspapers to run stories, Martin had this to say to the Associated Press:
Federal prosecutor Alice Martin. . . told the AP that, if true, there is nothing illegal about someone offering money for favorable news articles. ”If you want to pay someone to write favorable stories and can get a paper to print them, I don’t know of any law it violates,” Martin said.
Other prosecutors have a different view. Of course, Martin may well have been moved by the fact that more than a dozen instances have now been documented in which the Bush Administration offered substantial payments to newspaper writers to publish stories favorable to it, Scott Horton, for Harper'sCorruption in a U.S. Attorney's Office
Bob Riley hates elections. In fact, I would go so far as to say that many if not most in the Republican establishment are uncomfortable with elections unless they are sure of a win. Anytime Bob Riley can appoint a Republican where a Democrat would win in an election, he'll be hot to do it, no matter what the law says.
The Jefferson County Election Commission on Monday set a Feb. 5 election to replace Larry Langford on the County Commission.
That action sets up a likely legal showdown with Gov. Bob Riley, who maintains he has the authority to appoint Langford's replacement.
...
The Election Commission, made up of Probate Judge Alan King, Sheriff Mike Hale and Circuit Clerk Anne Marie Adams, set the special election to coincide with Alabama's presidential primary.
King, the county's chief election officer, said a Jefferson County statute calls for holding an election to fill an open commission seat. King said 2004 state legislation that gives the governor power to fill commission vacancies by appointment specifically excludes counties with their own rules for special elections, such as Jefferson County.
However, Riley's office maintains that the governor has the authority to fill the seat.
How much will this little ego trip cost taxpayers in legal fees?
