BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- Larry Langford's attorney Mike Rasmussen called the prosecutors' 24-30 year prison term recommendation excessive.
"It's a life sentence and its far more than other defendants similarly situated have received," Rasmussen told NBC13HD Wednesday.
Rasmussen argued that other defendants who have received more valuable bribes received less prison time than prosecutors are requesting for Langford.
Langford is in his early 60's, and since there is no parole in the federal prison system a 24-30 prison term would mean Langford would not be released until he reached his late 80's at the earliest.
Prosecutors' recommendation came in a sentencing memorandum filed Wednesday morning in advance of Langford's sentencing Friday.
In October Langford was convicted on 60 counts stemming from bribery scheme involving a lobbyist Al LaPierre and investment banker Bill Blount.
In less than two hours, the jury found Langford guilty of accepting more than $230,000 in bribes and gifts in exchange for arranging lucrative bond swap deals for LaPierre and Blount while Langford served in the Jefferson County Commission.
In addition to the 24-30 prison term recommendation, prosecutors are requesting Langford to pay the IRS $119,985 in back taxes and forfeit an additional $241,843.
Rasmussen will file his own sentencing memorandum Thursday and plans to ask Judge Scott Coogler to release Langford on bond during his expected appeal.
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