JeffCo Almost Hires Attorney

In a quick turn of events after forcing the county attorney to retire on April 12, the Jefferson County, Ala., Commission thought it had landed a state Supreme Court justice as a replacement before he changed his mind.

The board voted April 25 to hire Justice Mike Bolin, a former Jefferson County probate judge.

Bolin, who initially took the job, told the Birmingham News that he was confident that he could help the county work through its problems. On Tuesday, Bolin declined the job offer saying he had reconsidered after discussions with his wife.

Bolin had been selected to replace Jeff Sewell, who was forced to retire after disrupting bankruptcy settlement negotiations on several occasions, in addition to other issues.

Jefferson County filed for bankruptcy in November 2011, and has yet to file a plan of adjustment specifying how it intends to deal with nearly $4.2 billion of debt.

The county has negotiated agreements on a small amount of debt, though none related to $3.1 billion of outstanding, defaulted sewer warrants. Commissioners are expected to suggest repudiating a sizeable amount of the sewer debt.

The county said Tuesday that its search for a new head attorney would continue.

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