Langford’s Bond Appeal

Former Jefferson County commissioner and Birmingham mayor Larry Langford is scheduled to report to prison Monday to begin a 15-year sentence. But his attorneys have asked that he be allowed to post bond and remain free pending an appeal of his federal pay-to-play conviction before the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta.

In a court filing Monday, prosecutors said Langford had not established a factual or legal basis for prevailing on appeal or altering his sentence in this case.

In seeking an appeal bond, Langford’s attorneys said he is not likely to flee or pose a danger, has lifelong ties to the community, and has no assets that can be used for flight or to support himself. They said Langford also needs medical services and has always appeared for court hearings.

The defense attorneys said evidence of intent in his case was circumstantial and that there were various errors in the trial.

Langford, 63, was sentenced to 15 years in prison March 5 for his role in a long-running pay-to-play scheme centered on Jefferson County’s $3.2 billion of sewer warrants and swaps.

A jury found him guilty of 60 federal charges, including bribery, money laundering, conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud, and filing false tax returns.

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