Birmingham Mayor Facing Federal Charges

Federal prosecutors allege Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford accepted over $200,000 in bribes in exchange for bond financing business.

By: Christian Stapleton | WKRG-TV
Published: October 18, 2009

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The mayor of Alabama's largest city is
facing a federal bribery trial that could drive him from office and
send him to prison if he's convicted.
Prosecutors say Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford took clothing, a
Rolex watch and other bribes totaling some $235,000 while serving
on the Jefferson County Commission. In exchange, they say Langford
steered $7.1 million in county bond business to a political crony's
investment firm.
Langford's trial begins Monday in Tuscaloosa.
Langford says everything that changed hands were gifts between
friends. He also claims his prosecution is part of a Republican
scheme to target Democrats in Alabama.
Two co-defendants who pleaded guilty are expected to testify
against Langford.