ALABAMA Political Corruption

Nov 5, 2009 - The Montgomery Advertiser dismisses as "campaign attacks" the GOP efforts to focus attention of Democrats.

The stars of the new video are former Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford, former Democratic Party chairman Bill Blount of Montgomery, former Democratic Party executive director Al LaPierre, former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman, former state legislators Sue Schmitz, Bryant Melton and E.B. McClain, and former state two-year-college chancellor Roy Johnson, who also is a former Democratic legislator.

All of these Democrats have been convicted of some type of government corruption charge in recent years.

Apparently, the "Republicans are trying to use the Democrats' rap sheets as campaign fodder to give GOP candidates an advantage in the 2010 elections." Folks at the paper are hoping there will be campaign and ethics reforms.

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Larry Langford entry
Bill Blount entry (same as above)
Al LaPierre entry (same as above)
Don Siegelman Wikipedia entry
Sue Schmitz Sentenced to 30 months in prison.
Bryant Melton Sentenced to 15 months in prison.
E.B. McClain Wikipedia entry See this sentence.
Roy Johnson To be sentenced in November.

The video from YouTube.

NOT MENTIONED
Jefferson County commissioner John Katopodis. Convicted July 1, 2009 on 97 counts of mail and wire fraud for spending money from a charity for children on gambling, trips, gifts to powerful friends and legal fees. (The Katopodis conviction brings to five the number of Jefferson County Commissioners convicted in public corruption cases.)

Katopodis formed the charity with convicted HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy and Mayor Larry Langford. The trial, according to the article. "tied Katopodis and his charities to Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford, County Commission President Bettye Fine Collins [R] and current and former Birmingham City Council members."

Convicted Birmingham Council members include:
Jeff Germany, Commissioner 1990-2002, convicted in 2006. Sentenced to seven months in prison.
Chris McNair, Commissioner 1986-2001, convicted in 2006. Sentenced to five years in prison.
Mary Buckelew, Commissioner 1990-2006, convicted in 2008. To be sentenced Nov 12.
Commissioner Gary White was convicted in 2008. The conviction was set aside and he is waiting for a new trial.