Larry P. Langford
The Democrat mayor of Birmingham, Alabama who refused to grant a permit the local Gay Pride parade has been arrested by FBI officials on a 101-count indictment alleging conspiracy, bribery, fraud, money laundering, and filing false tax returns in connection with a long-running bribery scheme.
While Democrat Mayor Langford was head of the Jefferson County commission, he engaged in a variable rate auction, and bond swaps, to raise money to help improve its sewer system. The result of the bonds has resulted in a $3.2 billion sewer debt. Democrat Mayor Langford is alleged to have received $230,000 in bribes from Montgomery investment banker Bill Blount to help influence the bond deals while Langford was head of the Jefferson County Commission. Blount’s firm earned $7.1 million in fees from the bond deals. Additional funds are alleged to have been circulated through longtime friend Al LaPierre. The government is currently seeking $7.6 million in forfeiture from the three men.
LaPierre and Blount were also part of the Federal investigation and voluntarily surrendered to the FBI after Democrat Mayor Langford’s arrest.
LaPierre pleaded not guilty and will be released on a $50,000 bond secured by property. Democrat Mayor Langford also pleaded not guilty and has been released on a $50,000 non-surety bond. He is forbidden to travel outside of the Northern District of Alabama without prior approval from the court.
Democrat Mayor Langford first made national news earlier this year when he refused to issue a parade permit to the Birmingham Gay Pride Parade, in addition to refusing any use of public property for the parade. At the time Langford said, “I don’t think I’m intolerant, I just don’t condone the lifestyle. Your personal lifestyle should be nobody’s issue but yours. It’s not a civil rights issue, it’s a personal choice issue.”
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