Larry Langford’s First SEC Deposition
ADDENDUM: Here’s the Weekly’s cover story.
This is the one where he didn’t refuse to testify.
Birmingham Weekly has obtained a copy of a transcript from that interview. What it reveals about the mayor is disconcerting: personal financial habits that are reflective of — and perhaps connected to — his management of public funds, and an attitude towards debt that makes the federal government seem frugal.
Can you say, “Hoisted on his own petard?” Go read.
February 14th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
At this point, the most “interesting” part of this story is who else will be connected to the shenanigans. Of course, the saddest part is how badly Langford is liable to mangle the city’s already shaky finances before he’s stopped.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Have you seen the cover of the B’ham Weekly! If it isn’t on the website, you need to see it! Hilarious!
February 14th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Slightly off topic, but I wanted to thank you for your link to Yikes!
BAC
February 14th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
You’re welcome, BAC!
Kiki, the cover is up at the Weekly’s website. I stopped at one of my usual “pick up a copy of the Weekly” places today, and there were none left.
Tricia, it will be interesting to see who else is tied to this. I really hope the city council will step up and intervene before history repeats itself.
February 15th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Unfortunately the council was paid off from the start to the tune of about $1 million in pork. I’m more than a little suspicious that there is more involved than that. However, I’m hopeful that as Blackledge and Whitmire bear down on Langford in the public court and as the SEC continues its investigations in the legal ones, the City Council will start to see just how dangerous it is to become a rubber stamp for Langford’s endeavors. To think he has the testicular fortitude to create yet ANOTHER “non-profit” to “manage” the buying of laptops in Birmingham… Does this not SCREAM to the citizens of Birmingham? I might add… Only in government does someone need a “foundation” to oversee a simple transaction.
February 19th, 2008 at 8:43 am
I heard Katapodis mentioned on NPR this morning in connection with both of the computers-for-schools “charities.” I’m beginning to think I should start keeping a spreadsheet.
February 20th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Tricia, a spreadsheet would be a good idea. Don’t forget to keep tabs of contradictory statements various parties will make, too. That’s always fun. Date, source (news outlet or council mtg, etc), comment, who said it. Oh, it’s deliciously funny to compare their statements later.
Signed,
Schadenfreude
February 20th, 2008 at 9:10 am
heh!
One tangential thing that’s been bugging me (I’ve been trying to find a reference, but no luck, hence the spreadsheet idea), is that my dad and I had a huge convo about the mess that is the Corridor X situation a while back. And I swear that Bill Blount’s name came up in regards to property ownership in that area. Which certainly makes me ponder how deep the corruption runs, how far and wide, and if we’ll ever really find out.