BREAKING: Mary Buckelew sentenced to 3 years probation
By Wade KwonFormer Jefferson County Commission president Mary Buckelew was sentenced to 3 years probation this afternoon in a federal courtroom in Birmingham. She had faced 12 to 18 months in prison for lying to a grand jury about receiving gifts from Bill Blount to influence her votes on bond swaps for the sewer system.
She must also pay a $20,000 fine and perform 200 hours of community service in the Jefferson County school district.
Buckelew told Judge Inge Johnson: “I made a mistake that I do not condone for myself. I can never restore that I so foolishly gave away.”
Buckelew pleaded guilty in 2008 to one count of obstruction of justice. Prosecutors recommended a lesser sentence for her cooperation with investigators.
She was expected to testify in Blount’s trial until he pleaded guilty. Buckelew was also expected to testify in the federal trial of former mayor Larry Langford but never took the stand.
Also:
- Birmingham’s Biggest Crooks: Mary Buckelew
- Sentencing today and in the next few months for other high-profile Alabama pols.
