Birmingham Alabama Mayor Larry Langford was found guilty on all 60 federal counts of bribery, money laundering, conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud and tax evasion.
Langford, a talented politician who can quote bible verses and cuss like a sailor in the same breath, chose not to take the stand. Larry Langford is a complex man that I've known peripherally and observed for 20 years.
The trial lasted 8 days. The jury deliberations lasted 2 hours. Langford immediately vacates the office of Mayor. Langford also will have to forfeit $241,843.
Langford is one of several former Jefferson County Commissioners that have been found guilty or plead guilty to public corruption, bribery charges in the last few years.
Background on Langford's case
In a post verdict press conference Langford and his wife appeared and put blame on the media and racism.
"This didn't happen just three years ago," Langford said. "The federal goverment has been antagonizing us since 1981."
Langford's wife, Melva, was more blunt.
"A black man cannot get a fair trial," Melva Langford said. "They have been working hard to conspire to hurt him for many years.
Langford and his attorneys both indicated that appeals will be filed. Legal experts that I've listened to and talked to this evening believe that the appeal success is not probable unless there were flawed jury instructions which do not seem likely.
The charges of racism are certainly understandable; however, this jury was a mixed race jury and that dilutes some of that claim. I think that the prosecution delivered a very strong and compact case to the jury. In post verdict statements, I do find it interesting that Democratic officials talked to find it to be a sad day for Birmingham while Republicans talk about this being good for strengthening anti-corruption laws.
Why was Langford convicted?
- The strength of two co-conspirators testifying against him. Banker Bill Blount and Lobbyist Al La Pierre testified that they exchanged gifts of clothes and jewelry for business on sewer bond deals.
- Outrage of jurors on national public corruption
- The Defense made a tactical error in moving this case to Tuscaloosa - 45 minutes away. Although I'm not sure that it makes much of a difference.
- Langford did not endear himself to the jury. Although I'm not sure testifying would have helped either. I was surprised by such a quick verdict.
Concluding Remarks
I believe it is a sad day for the City. A man who had so much promise and had so much vision succumbed to power and a unique shopping addiction. Birmingham a city with so much baggage but so much promise faces another dark day.
