By Associated Press
Birmingham, AL – An Alabama lobbyist has agreed to plead guilty to paying thousands of dollars in bribes to Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford, who is awaiting trial in the scheme.
Federal court documents show Al LaPierre admitted being the middleman in a conspiracy to route money to Langford from Montgomery investment banker Bill Blount. Blount's firm received millions of dollars in work from the Jefferson County Commission while Langford was a member.
LaPierre signed the plea deal Wednesday, and he is expected to enter the guilty plea Thursday during a hearing in Birmingham.
Langford is accused of accepting more than $230,000 in bribes in exchange for funneling business to Blount's company. Langford and Blount pleaded not guilty, and their trial is set for Aug. 31.