New Date for Sentencing

A federal judge in Birmingham has set Nov. 12 as the new date that former Jefferson County commissioner Mary Buckelew will be sentenced for obstruction of justice for lying to a federal grand jury about receiving gifts from Montgomery-based bond dealer William Blount when the county’s sewer debt was refinanced in 2002 and 2003.

Buckelew’s sentencing was delayed until after the pay-to-play trial of Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford, who headed up the County Commission when the now-troubled sewer debt was sold. She is expected to testify at Langford’s trial.

Blount and mutual friend Albert LaPierre were named along with Langford in a 101-count federal indictment late last year charging them with pay-to-play crimes related to the sewer transactions.

All three men were scheduled to stand trial together but Blount in August pleaded guilty to one count each of bribery and conspiracy.

LaPierre in July pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy and filing a false tax return. Both men and Buckelew are expected to testify at Langford’s trial, which begins Oct. 19 in Tuscaloosa.

LaPierre is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 19. Blount’s sentencing is Dec. 17.

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