Birmingham mayor Larry Langford arrested by feds
Monday, December 1st, 2008As has been expected for some time, the FBI arrested Birmingham mayor Larry Langford this morning. He was taken into custody at his place of business, Birmingham Budweiser.
Also arrested are William Blount, an investment banker at Blount Parrish and Co. in Montgomery, and Langford’s friend Al LaPierre. The three face charges of conspiracy, bribery, fraud, money laundering and filing false tax returns.
U.S. Attorney Alice Martin detailed the federal government’s investigation into Langford’s side business deals while he served on the Jefferson County Commission.
During the news conference, Martin said between 2003 and 2006, Blount paid about $235,000 in clothing, jewelry and charge account bills.
Martin also said, Blount gave Langford an $11,000 Rolex watch.
Martin said it was all in return for steering Jefferson County bond business to Blount’s Montgomery firm, including the multi-billion dollar sewer bond business.
Martin said “He (Langford) sold his public office to friend.”
During the news conference Martin said Langford received bribes from Blount, through friend Al LaPierre, to buy clothes and jewelry from expensive New York boutiques and high end stores in Birmingham as well.
At 10 a.m. in Birmingham federal court, Langford, in leg shackles, pleaded not guilty. He and LaPierre are both out on $50,000 bond. Langford cannot travel outside the Northern District of Alabama without court approval.
Blount also pleaded not guilty and is out on $100,000 bond.
