Associated Press
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Former Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford on Friday lost an appeal of his conviction on bribery, conspiracy, money laundering and other charges.
The U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals turned down Langford's appeal of his conviction on 60 counts concerning his activities when he was president of the Jefferson County Commission. Langford asked that his 2009 conviction be overturned because his attorneys said the evidence was insufficient to sustain some of his convictions.
Langford's attorney, Michael Rasmussen of Birmingham, said he had not had time to study the ruling and did not have any immediate comment.
A three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit ruled it could not find any basis to overturn Langford's conviction. Langford was mayor of Birmingham at the time of his conviction.
Langford is serving a 15-year prison sentence at a federal prison in Ashland, Ky. Langford was accused of receiving more than $240,000 in bribes.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney John England in the Northern District of Alabama said Langford's willingness to accept bribes "helped bring Jefferson County to the brink of financial ruin."
"Public officials are not above the law, and corruption among them will not be tolerated," England said.
Jefferson County is Alabama's largest and has suffered severe financial problems linked to a massive sewer project. County officials have been working since 2008 to avoid filing for what would be the nation's largest municipal bankruptcy. The financial problems occurred during a time when several county officials, including Langford, were convicted of taking bribes and other public corruption charges.
In the ruling, the appellate judges said the government proved "beyond a reasonable doubt" that as a county commissioner Langford "accepted bribes and did not disclose them to the public."
Evidence in Langford's trial showed he was taking tens of thousands in checks, fancy suits and jewelry from investment banker Bill Blount while his firm was among those advising the county to enter complicated bond deals for financing the sewer project.
The verdict marked a long fall for Langford, a one-time television news reporter who was once mentioned as a possible gubernatorial candidate in the 1990s.
As mayor, Langford was known for his flashy clothes and idea-a-minute style of governing. He drew both fans and critics with a series of plans for the state's largest city, including a bid to bring the Olympics to Birmingham in 2020.
Langford is also former mayor of the suburban town of Fairfield in western Jefferson County.
The U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals turned down Langford's appeal of his conviction on 60 counts concerning his activities when he was president of the Jefferson County Commission. Langford asked that his 2009 conviction be overturned because his attorneys said the evidence was insufficient to sustain some of his convictions.
Langford's attorney, Michael Rasmussen of Birmingham, said he had not had time to study the ruling and did not have any immediate comment.
A three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit ruled it could not find any basis to overturn Langford's conviction. Langford was mayor of Birmingham at the time of his conviction.
Langford is serving a 15-year prison sentence at a federal prison in Ashland, Ky. Langford was accused of receiving more than $240,000 in bribes.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney John England in the Northern District of Alabama said Langford's willingness to accept bribes "helped bring Jefferson County to the brink of financial ruin."
"Public officials are not above the law, and corruption among them will not be tolerated," England said.
Jefferson County is Alabama's largest and has suffered severe financial problems linked to a massive sewer project. County officials have been working since 2008 to avoid filing for what would be the nation's largest municipal bankruptcy. The financial problems occurred during a time when several county officials, including Langford, were convicted of taking bribes and other public corruption charges.
In the ruling, the appellate judges said the government proved "beyond a reasonable doubt" that as a county commissioner Langford "accepted bribes and did not disclose them to the public."
Evidence in Langford's trial showed he was taking tens of thousands in checks, fancy suits and jewelry from investment banker Bill Blount while his firm was among those advising the county to enter complicated bond deals for financing the sewer project.
The verdict marked a long fall for Langford, a one-time television news reporter who was once mentioned as a possible gubernatorial candidate in the 1990s.
As mayor, Langford was known for his flashy clothes and idea-a-minute style of governing. He drew both fans and critics with a series of plans for the state's largest city, including a bid to bring the Olympics to Birmingham in 2020.
Langford is also former mayor of the suburban town of Fairfield in western Jefferson County.
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