Blount: Langford should not be blamed for sewer debt

By: Jon Paepcke | Alabama's13.com
Published: October 23, 2009

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. ---
Investment banker Bill Blount testified Friday that Langford does not deserve the blame for Jefferson County's sewer debt.
He testified the sewer mess does not have anything to do with Langford, it has to do with municipal bond rates changing.

"The debt was already there when he took office," Blount stated.

Also Friday morning, prosecutor George Martin asked Blount about the conspiracy county to which Blount has pleaded guilty.

"I conspired with Mr. LaPierre and Mr. Langford," Blount replied.

Lobbyist Al LaPierre is the other co-defendant in the case who's pleaded guilty to conspiracy and filing a false tax return in Langford's corruption case.

LaPierre arrived at the federal courthouse in Tuscaloosa around 9:00 am to testify.

Langford faces 60 charges from a federal indictment returned in June 2008 and unsealed 6 months later.

Among the charges are bribery, money laundering, conspiracy, mail and wire fraud and filing a false tax return.

Prosecutors claim Langford accepted $235,000 in cash, clothing and jewelry from investment banker Bill Blount and lobbyist Al LaPierre.

In exchange, prosecutors argue, Langford arranged lucrative bond swap deals for Blount and LaPierre while Langford served as President of the Jefferson County Commission.

Langford has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Blount has pleaded guilty to conspiracy and bribery and LaPierre admitted guilt to conspiracy and filing a false tax return.

Both men are expected to testify against Langford as part of their plea deal.

If Langford is convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum of 804 years in prison.

The trial is expected to last two weeks.