Ludgood Throws In Towel

Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood resigns after Alabama's Attorney General pulls her paycheck.

The *now* former District 1 leader has turned in her county car and credit card. Ludgood's departure comes after months of legal wrangling over the position.

Ludgood won the seat in a special election against Juan Chastang after a judicial panel removed him...saying Governor Bob Riley violated the law by appointing Chastang. Justices have since ruled in Riley's favor.

The final straw for Ludgood was the AG's instruction to County officials to stop paying her. She responded Tuesday morning in a press conference.

"I'm not arguing that I have a legal leg to stand on that's not what I'm saying at all. What I'm saying is that until a court decided that should happen, there really should be no vacancy here but I'm not gonna stand by and let it appear that I'm being forced out of office. That's not good for District 1, that's not good for the county."

The Governor is now searching for Ludgood's replacement and Chastang is on the short list. He could even get back pay!

Ludgood plans to run for the county seat again in November and she's unopposed.

Mobile County Commissioner President Steve Nodine released this statement about the issue:

"I have never, at any time, made any effort to remove Ms. Ludgood from office. I have never spoken to any state official about Ms. Ludgood except to solicit legal opinions concerning a very complicated legal issue and often times ambiguous rulings. I have the highest respect for Ms. Ludgood and for the efforts she has made during her 10 months in office. She has well represented the people of District 1 and I trust she will do so again when she returns to office in November. I have had no input whatsoever during this entire legal process. This has been a legal matter that has concerned a group of concerned citizens who initiated the lawsuit, the State of Alabama, and the federal courts. This is an issue that was ultimately resolved by the United States Supreme
Court, not by Commissioner Stephen Nodine. As for Mr. Chastang, if it is determined that he is entitled to any back pay, I would highly recommend that the citizens who brought the lawsuit forcing him from office be the ones to make that restitution"