Birmingham mayor Larry Langford was found guilty last Wednesday on 60 counts of felony charges and removed from office.
Former state Rep. Sue Schmitz must report to prison Dec. 4 after being convicted in February on fraud charges.
Former Alabama governor Don Siegelman and former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy were convicted in 2006 on multiple charges, including bribery and mail fraud.
Former state Rep. Bryant Melton was sentenced to prison for using legislative discretionary money for personal gain.
Former state senator E.B. McClain was sentenced in May to 70 months in prison for his role in bribery, conspiracy, money laundering and mail fraud charges.
Former state two-year college chancellor Roy Johnson pleaded guilty in 2008 to 15 charges related to corruption within the two-year system.
Former Alabama Gov. Guy Hunt was indicted in 1992 for theft, bribery and ethics charges and forced to resign.
Obviously, Alabama has a long, remarkable history of corruption from those who hold leadership roles.
But when judgment came down, don’t regard these as dark days for our state.
In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
The fact that so many have been caught, convicted and sent to jail sends a message to those tempted with corruption — those willing to betray the public trust to enrich themselves and feed at the public trough.
It’s a good day when wrongdoing is uncovered and corrected.
Prosecutors in these cases often face loads of negative comments, mainly from camps of men and women facing corruption charges. The guilty claim their prosecution is politically motivated or that race played a part.
They attempt to deflect their guilt and go on the attack.
We’re grateful to these prosecutors who perform this service to the public and put the wrongdoers in their place. When leaders are proven to be corrupt and penalized, it’s a good day for Alabama. We cheer when the guilty are found guilty.
It’s time those who betray the public face the music.
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