BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) The mayor of Alabama’s largest city has been arrested on federal bribery and fraud charges.
Federal prosecutors in Birmingham say they have charged Larry Langford and two other men in a 101-count indictment. The charges stem from a multibillion-dollar sewer bond deal that has driven the surrounding county to the brink of bankruptcy. Jefferson County is trying to avoid filing what would be the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history.
Among other things, Langford is accused of receiving $230,000 in bribes. Other charges include money laundering and filing false tax returns.
Langford appeared in federal court today in leg irons, and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Langford has become known for a series of colorful stunts since taking office last year. He once entered a business meeting along with two police officers carrying submachine guns, as a way of stirring interest in his “top secret” finance plans. He’s also announced a longshot bid to bring the 2020 Olympics to Birmingham. Critics have dubbed the former promoter and TV reporter “Mayor LaLa.”
