Former Jefferson County Commissioner Indicted
UPDATE: More information here and a clarification: White, who was a County Commissioner from 1990 through 2006, took over responsibility for the Department of Environmental Services in 2002, after the supersewer investigation had already begun. He’s accused of taking bribes and conspiring with contractors after the FBI was already on the case. Wow! If this is true, it’s incredibly stupid.
Gary White, former County Commissioner from my very own district, was arrested this morning and charged with bribery and conspiracy to commit bribery, yet more fallout from the supersewer debacle. He pleaded not guilty, but I predict a conviction in his future. White oversaw the Department of Environmental Services during his tenure, which ended when fellow Republican Jim Carns defeated him in the 2006 primary.
The indictment charges White with bribery and conspiracy to commit bribery. The contractor is identified in the indictment as Sohan Singh, who has been sentenced to prison for bribing former county officials, including former Commissioner Chris McNair.
White is the third former county commissioner indicted. McNair and Commissioner Jeff Germany both have been convicted.
Oddly, Republicans turned on White not because he was in charge while Jefferson County ratepayers were getting hosed to pay for a potential environmental disaster but because he voted for Democrat Larry Langford to be Commission President.
November 3rd, 2007 at 1:55 pm
“because he voted for democrat Larry Langford to be Commission President.” —So, does that mean that no other Republicans need worry? Dang, does that mean Mary Buckelew skates?
I sure hope the investigations don’t stop with GW.
November 3rd, 2007 at 2:13 pm
When I say Republicans, I’m not referring to the investigators but to Carns supporters. The “Christian” Coalition went after Buckelew in the same way they attacked White — calling her a liberal. Apparently, in the CCofA’s world, corruption is okay as long as you’re not the L word.
November 3rd, 2007 at 2:22 pm
And I hope she doesn’t skate. The FBI has continued to pursue other commissioners after they left office, so I guess it will follow up on her as well.
November 3rd, 2007 at 2:34 pm
I just noticed something in the indictment—
“It was a further part of the conspiracy that after the defendant received certain cash payments from Sohan P. Singh, the defendant GARY L. WHITE would and did pay an individual who helped manage his 2002 re-election campaign a total of $17,000.00 in cas increments of $3,000.00 on one occasion and $2,000.00 each on seven specific dates toward the retirement of a campaign debt.”
Whoa! Who might that campaign person be?
November 4th, 2007 at 8:14 am
Not being from the Birmingham area I’ve paid little-to-no attention to this scandal. I wonder who might have been instrumental in first exposing it.
January 10th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
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