Birmingham's Anti-Gay Mayor Charged with Bribery, Money Laundering, Corruption ...

And it couldn't happen to a better person. Larry Langford, the black anti-gay social conservative mayor of   Birmingham who recently refused to issue a parade permit for gay pride, has been arrested on federal charges of bribery and money laundering. Read it and weep at Fox 6 Birmingham:

FBI spokesperson Paul Daymond said agents took Langford into custody around 7 a.m.

The indictment accused Langford, securities broker Bill Blount and lobbyist Al Lapierre of bribery and money laundering. The federal charges come after the Securities and Exchange Commission sued Langford, Blount and LaPierre ...

[The] indictment and the SEC lawsuit accused Langford of taking money from Blount and Lapierre in exchange for steering millions of dollars in Jefferson County bond business their way.  At the time of the alleged wrongdoing, Langford was president of the Jefferson County Commission.

The Justice Department says the federal corruption investigation is significant because Langford and his friends' high rate municipal bond and derivative deals took "Jefferson County to the brink of bankruptcy." Langford's alleged scheme is detailed at eFlux and Bloomberg.

Langford denies any wrongdoing and tells Fox 6 he has been "expecting this forever." The Democratic mayor assures voters he is back on the job.  "I'm going to work today," Langford said.  "That's what I have lawyers for—to take care of this."

It's been a colorful year for Mayor Larry P. Langford, whose motto is "A world without Jesus is a mess waiting to happen."." In April the mayor wore a sackloth and Rolex watch and lead a prayer rally against crime. In May the "committed Christian" mayor refused to issue a permit for gay pride. (The police department later did so.) Oh and a children's charity founded by Langford is also being investigated by the feds for lavishly spending money and writing checks to a gay porn star Ryan Idol. None of this ounds very Christian.

Larry Langford Responds to Arrest [Fox 6]
Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford Arrested [Fox 6]
Alabama Mayor Arrested on Federal Charges [Bloomberg]

Comments

[Derrick from Philly]

So long, Larry. Although federal prisons aren't supposed to be too rough. Shame it's not a state crime. Nothing like a good ol' Alabama state prison to humble a crooked politician.

[Taylor Siluwé]

My mother always said never EVER take pleasure in other peoples pain. But since I doubt she reads this blog ...

LOL!!!!

ANd that link about the porn star/wannabe computer tech who made all that money doing, uh, computer stuff for charity -- just too good not to LMBAO!!

Oh how the mighty pious fall. LOL!

[Mr. Gay Seattle XXXIII]

This is sad they spend so much time pointing the finger they never think to clean their own mess first.

[kevjack]

This is living proof that God does not like ugly and does not take kindly to folks using his image, teachings, and good name for their evil deeds. The really sad part is that the same voters who put him into office are the same people who will have to foot the bill for these bad bonds.

The people of Birmingham and Jefferson county will suffer for this-- it will be impossible to raise money to pay for schools, roads, and other public goods. So much for their right-wing Christian utopia.

[Bill]

Maybe he'll understand homosexuality a little better during his stint in jail. I'm sure all his dealings will come to light soon. I'm sure this is just the tip of the iceberg. The holier than thou ones are usually the dirtiest.

[J Matt]

Wow, Rod. You are definitely reporting the news! A cold day in Birmingham indeed.

[QH]

LoL at him. Exactly his just desserts if you ask me. Like someone said here, don't point the finger if you haven't taken care of your dirt.-QH

[poliscispike]

So, you all are mad with Larry because of his personal belief that homosexuality is wrong? Oh, how sad.

[justbthat.com]

This time, I must agree with poliscispike, i must add however, the problem comes in when he peddles his righteousness and his beliefs as superior to anothers'. THAT'S SAD!

Freedom is the right to be wrong not do wrong and when you use your beliefs and ostensible to deprive a group of rights and freedoms other American's have it crosses that definitive line of being wrong to doing wrong. Our beliefs ought to liberate...not castigate.