Former 2-Year College Chancellor Pleads Guilty (Birmingham, Montgomery: property taxes, house, rent)

[Reactionary]

Roy Johnson (Democrat), the former Chancellor of Alabama's two-year college system, former 4-term legislator and House speaker pro tempore, and one of the state's most powerful political figures, plead guilty to 15 counts of Bribery and Conspiracy.

Also named in the plea deal is Timothy Turnham (convicted this Summer, business partner and brother of State Democratic Party Chair Joe Turnham). Johnson agreed to forfeit over $18 million stolen from the children of Alabama plus his $1.3 million house in Opelika. Johnson is expected to provide “substantial assistance” for a reduced sentence and has waived his right to appeal.

Johnson used his official position to assist the relatives of Members of the State Board of Education obtain employment within the Department of Postsecondary Education. Johnson provided secret political support to Board Members by directing money and other campaign assistance to them. Johnson also used his official position to secure and retain employment for legislators within the system.

Northern District of Alabama - Press Releases

More:

Former Tuscaloosa legislator Bryant Melton plead guilty in 2006 and agreed to cooperate in the investigation.

W.L. Langston (Former Alabama Fire College director) was indicted on 37 charges including theft and conspiracy. His trial starts in February.

About one quarter of the Alabama legislature have financial ties to the 2-year college system.

For background, Brett Blackledge of the Birmingham News won the Pulitzer Prize for reporting on the corruption in Alabama, this link has a round up of articles:

News' Blackledge has won the Pulitzer Prize - Breaking News from The Birmingham News - al.com

[cpg35223]

Well, what do you expect? The 2-year college system was the brainchild of George Wallace.

I'm not a Republican per se, but the Democratic Party in the State of Alabama has a lot to answer for. They had uncontested control of the state for over 100 years, and had nothing to show for it but grotesquely corrupt and inefficient government, cozy relationships with big business, a state constitution that would be the laughingstock in Ecuador, a regressive tax system, and a host of other outrages.

I was dubious of Bob Riley when he was elected (I voted for Siegelman), but he may very well be the best governor this state has had in a very long time--chiefly because he demands accountability and efficiency from government. That's something we just have lacked in this state.

[Bravo35223]

I too am not a Republican - or a Democrat. A confirmed Moderate, Independent voter.

The Democratically controlled legislature has held Alabama back for decades. The state has a very hot economy, thanks to a superman team of industrial recruiters and governors who have assisted in job creation.

Know this, virtually every state legislator currently being investigated by the FBI in association with the two year college scandal is a Democrat. These people are going down like bowling pins now that Roy Johnson has gone down and agreed to cooperate with the investigation.

This is going to be the best news for Alabama in 100 years....Democrat after Democrat being thrown into Federal prison. This will pave the way for the Republicans to finally get control over the legislature....give us a chance to Reform the state Constitution, do tax reform and shift more of the tax burden away from the poor and onto the middle and upper class.

Just watch folks....it's gonna happen and it's going to be the best thing to happen to this state in a century.

You read it here first.

[Reactionary]

From Bham News Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Brett Blackledge:

Two-year college investigation shifts to Alabama legislators and board of education members as former Chancellor Roy Johnson agrees to plead guilty

Board members with relatives working in the system denied any wrongdoing Thursday after learning about Johnson's plea.

"I don't have any reason to think I had any undue influence on him," board member Sandra Ray of Tuscaloosa said. "I know I never sought any favors from him for anyone."

Ray's two children and a former son-in-law were hired by Shelton State Community College. She has denied helping them obtain the jobs.

"I never asked, never pressured, never sought any special treatment from Roy Johnson for me or anybody else," board member Ella Bell of Montgomery said. "Anybody who knows Roy Johnson knows you don't pressure or try to influence Roy Johnson."

Bell's niece works in the two-year system's communication office and her son works for a lobbying firm that received contracts from several colleges while Johnson was chancellor.

Board member Mary Jane Caylor of Huntsville has denied knowledge of another statement in Johnson's plea agreement - that he arranged for a college vendor to send a bogus bill to the system and use some of the money to give her $7,500 for her Huntsville mayor's race in 2004.

al.com: Everything Alabama

I noted Johnson's political party in the OP, because the papers are playing "Name that Party" (not identifying the party because it's the Democrats). The Bham News even had a picture of Johnson standing next to Gov. Riley in one story.

Bravo - that rat stole more than $18 million from the children of Alabama. I can't imagine how much waste, fraud, and abuse former Gov. Siegelman (D - Federal Detention Center Oakdale), the School Board, and Legislature have perpetrated on this State.

[contented]

speaking of cozy relationships, and i apologize if this is too off topic, would anyone know which legislators, banking commissioner/s, etc., rolled over back in the day when the "payday lenders" came into the state and were allowed to set up shop?

[Reactionary]

State Senator (and former Senate President) Lowell Barron (D-Fyffe) not only allowed payday lenders to set up shop, he went into the business himself and made a fortune.

[pennquaker09]

I suppose this would only matter if I actually lived in Alabama, but I would like to see Artur Davis become governor or maybe a senator, I loathe Sessions.

I do agree that there needs to be a major overhaul of the Alabama legislature because the Democrats really are not getting anything done - for the parts of the state that desperately need improvement.

And don't even mention that constitution. How many pages is it now?

[Reactionary]

pennquaker09 - better get used to Senator Sessions, he'll be re-elected for as long as he wants to stay in DC... We like him (2002 re-election 60%, barely opposed this time).

Rep. Davis would also like to see Artur Davis become Governor - but he's too liberal to win statewide.

[Bravo35223]

I like Artur Davis very much. He has represented Alabama in a very honorable manner and has done more to help the poor in the Black Belt than anyone ever has.

My political analysis of him: He would have the devil of a time unseating an incumbent US Senator who is running for re-election. Conversely, he would have a very good chance of winning when one of the incumbents decides to retire....its only a matter of time before Dick Shelby decides to hang it up. At that point, you will have two high profile candidates, one from each party running dead up against each other and Davis would have an excellent chance. I think he would nail the democratic nomination in a landslide.

If I were his advisors, I would tell him to stay put in the House and continue to elevate his status there....continue to do good work for Alabama and make himself more and more visible to the voters. Then, when Shelby hangs it up - go for it.....

[Bravo35223]

Originally Posted by Reactionary

Bravo - that rat stole more than $18 million from the children of Alabama. I can't imagine how much waste, fraud, and abuse former Gov. Siegelman (D - Federal Detention Center Oakdale), the School Board, and Legislature have perpetrated on this State.

Yes it is disgusting but Alice Martin is doing a damn good housecleaning job...take this to the bank - the USDOJ and FBI are after these Democratic legislators like ducks to water and they're going down.

Then ironically, it will be the Republicans who do more to help the poor in this state than the Democrats ever did. The pittance in property taxes that Alfa, and US Steel pay is downright disgusting. Raise property taxes only 10%, take off the taxes on food and reduce tax rates on the working poor and you could do a world of good for the disadvantaged of this state.