Birmingham, AL – A federal judge has delayed the bribery trial of Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford and moved the case to Tuscaloosa.
U.S. District Judge Scott Coogler on Thursday granted Langford's request for a postponement and a change of venue.
Langford claimed he couldn't get a fair trial in Birmingham because of publicity about the case. He sought the delay after his two co-defendants pleaded guilty.
The trial will now begin Oct. 19 in Tuscaloosa. It was set for Aug. 31 in Birmingham.
Montgomery investment banker Bill Blount this week pleaded guilty to paying Langford about $235,000 in bribes in exchange for bond business while Langford served on the Jefferson County Commission. A lobbyist admitted being the middleman for the payments.
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