Montgomery, AL – The state school board seems well removed from what turned out to be a multimillion-dollar bribery case involving former two-year college system Chancellor Roy Johnson.
But now some board members of the board that voted to remove Johnson from his post amid allegations of corruption and nepotism are being viewed as possible targets in the probe. Prosecutors said some legislators also are being eyed.
Board members and legislators contacted in the wake of Johnson's plea announcement yesterday either voiced confidence they were in no legal difficulty or had no comment on the development.
Johnson agreed to plead guilty to 15 felony bribery and corruption counts. He also told prosecutors he used his position to secure jobs for legislators and relatives of board members.
Board members say negative speculation about the board is not new. But Johnson's plea amounts to his first public comments in more than a year and the first time he's talked about what occurred.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)