ORLANDO, Fla. — Alabama federal judge Scott Coogler today sentenced former Jefferson County Commission president Larry Langford to 15 years in federal prison for his role in a long-running pay-to-play scheme centering around the county's now-failed $3.2 billion of sewer warrants and swaps.
Federal prosecutors had recommended a sentence of between 24 years and 30 years.
A jury last October found Langford guilty on 60 charges, including bribery, money laundering, conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud, and filing false tax returns.
Langford, 63, was convicted of taking $241,000 in cash, loan payoffs, clothing, and jewelry he solicited from Montgomery investment banker Bill Blount and lobbyist Al LaPierre. Many of the bribes occurred when Langford could use his influence during the refinancing of the county's sewer warrants. Langford later became mayor of Birmingham. He was removed from office upon his conviction.
Coogler today also ordered that Langford pay $119,985 to the Internal Revenue Service for taxes he failed to pay on bribes, and that he forfeit another $241,843.
The judge agreed with prosecutors who did not recommend any restitution. That issue will be left for civil courts to determine.
Langford is expected to appeal.
