MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Longtime Alabama state Rep. John Rogers will plead guilty to conspiracy and obstruction of justice charges, according to a plea deal filed Monday.
The charges are related to what federal prosecutors described as a kickback scheme that diverted funds from state funds meant to pay for community projects in Jefferson County.
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Mr. Rogers, a Democrat from Birmingham, will resign from Congress and pay $197,950 in restitution as part of a plea deal. Federal prosecutors are recommending 14 months of home confinement for the 83-year-old lawmaker.
According to a plea agreement filed in federal court in Birmingham, Rogers agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice. Former state Rep. Fred L. Plump Jr. and Rogers’ former assistant and girlfriend, Vallie Johnson Kindall, previously pleaded guilty to related charges.
Alabama Representative John Rogers (D-Birmingham) speaks during a House of Representatives meeting at the State Capitol on April 17, 2012 in Montgomery, Alabama. Rogers will plead guilty to conspiracy and obstruction of justice, federal prosecutors announced on Monday, March 11, 2024.
Federal prosecutors said that between 2018 and 2018, Rogers directed $400,000 to a youth sports organization run by Plump. Federal prosecutors said Mr. Plump repaid approximately $200,000 to Mr. Rogers and Mr. Kindall.
Mr. Rogers, 83, has served in the Alabama House of Representatives since 1982 and is currently the longest-serving member of the Alabama House of Representatives.
John Robbins, a defense attorney representing Rogers, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
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Mr. Rogers became the third Alabama lawmaker to agree to plead guilty to criminal charges during his four-year term.
In addition to Plump, who resigned last year, former state Rep. David Cole, a Republican from Huntsville, also pleaded guilty last year to voter fraud charges for renting a space the size of a closet in his home to fraudulently run for office. Ta. Where he didn’t live.
