Langford arrested on federal charges
Birmingham Business Journal - by Jimmy DeButts Staff
Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford was arrested Monday on federal charges after several months of FBI investigations.
Langford associates Al LaPierre and Bill Blount were also expected to surrender to federal authorities Monday. The FBI has been investigating Langford’s role in Jefferson County’s sewer bond swaps during his time as a county commissioner. Langford gave up his county seat to take over as Birmingham’s mayor in November 2007.
Langford’s participation in a land deal with LaPierre and Blount has also received scrutiny by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The SEC filed a lawsuit in May and Langford’s attorneys have asked for it to be dismissed.
Langford’s Chief of Staff Deborah Vance-Bowie issued a statement on Monday confirming his arrest.
“The mayor was detained this morning by federal authorities,” Vance-Bowie’s statement said. “We do not know the details of his detention at this time. City business will go on as usual as we are all here to do a job and we'll continue to do our jobs to ensure we deliver the best services to the taxpayers of Birmingham.”
Vance-Bowie said the arrest was not a surprise to the administration.
“We anticipated something happening soon, especially knowing (U.S. Attorney) Alice Martin's days in office are numbered with the swearing in of a new president in late January, just a little over a month from now,” she said.
His administration is “glad the mayor will finally have his day in court,” she said, and his team “stands behind him and looks forward to the day when we can return the focus to the important issues before the city.”
Another Langford associate, former County Commissioner John Katopodis, was indicted last month on charges he illegally used charity funds for personal use.
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