Jury convicts state senator on charges of corruption
The Associated Press • January 22, 2009
BIRMINGHAM -- Jurors on Wednesday convicted Alabama state Sen. E.B. McClain and a Jefferson County minister on all 48 federal corruption charges against them.
Jurors deliberated for eight hours before convicting McClain, D-Midfield, and the Rev. Samuel Pettagrue, former pastor of Sardis Baptist Church.
The conviction will cause McClain, a six-term legislator, to forfeit his office as the Legislature prepares to begin its next session Feb. 3. The governor will have to call a special election to fill the post.
McClain, 68, is the second legislator to fall in a federal corruption investigation started by U.S. Attorney Alice Martin. Former state Rep. Bryant Melton, D-Tuscaloosa, pleaded guilty in 2006. A third legislator, Rep. Sue Schmitz, D-Toney, is scheduled for trial Feb. 10.
Prosecutors said Pettagrue, 65, accepted nearly $760,000 in state grant money obtained by McClain to run a nonprofit foundation and then gave McClain more than $300,000 in kickbacks.
McClain dropped his head when the verdict was read. "Everything was above board," he said later.
The U.S. attorney said the jury's verdict should make politicians recognize they can't abuse the public by pocketing public funds.
In closing arguments Tuesday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamarra Matthews Johnson said the case was about influence.
"Sen. McClain sold it and Rev. Pettagrue bought it. As a result, thousands of dollars ended up in Sen. McClain's pockets," Johnson said.
Pettagrue's attorney, Richard Jaffe, argued that the minister made nothing and poured his life into the foundation's community programs, including helping dropouts get their general equivalency diplomas.
McClain's attorney, John Robbins, said the payments to his client were for legitimate marketing and consulting work, and his marketing success was demonstrated by the large number of students who signed up.
But during the trial, witnesses had a difficult time describing any work that McClain did, and he never took the witness stand.
A conspiracy conviction carries up to five years in prison. Bribery carries up to 10 years, and mail fraud and money laundering up to 20 years. All of the crimes can result in fines of up to $250,000.
The Associated Press • January 22, 2009
BIRMINGHAM -- Jurors on Wednesday convicted Alabama state Sen. E.B. McClain and a Jefferson County minister on all 48 federal corruption charges against them.
Jurors deliberated for eight hours before convicting McClain, D-Midfield, and the Rev. Samuel Pettagrue, former pastor of Sardis Baptist Church.
The conviction will cause McClain, a six-term legislator, to forfeit his office as the Legislature prepares to begin its next session Feb. 3. The governor will have to call a special election to fill the post.
McClain, 68, is the second legislator to fall in a federal corruption investigation started by U.S. Attorney Alice Martin. Former state Rep. Bryant Melton, D-Tuscaloosa, pleaded guilty in 2006. A third legislator, Rep. Sue Schmitz, D-Toney, is scheduled for trial Feb. 10.
Prosecutors said Pettagrue, 65, accepted nearly $760,000 in state grant money obtained by McClain to run a nonprofit foundation and then gave McClain more than $300,000 in kickbacks.
McClain dropped his head when the verdict was read. "Everything was above board," he said later.
The U.S. attorney said the jury's verdict should make politicians recognize they can't abuse the public by pocketing public funds.
In closing arguments Tuesday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamarra Matthews Johnson said the case was about influence.
"Sen. McClain sold it and Rev. Pettagrue bought it. As a result, thousands of dollars ended up in Sen. McClain's pockets," Johnson said.
Pettagrue's attorney, Richard Jaffe, argued that the minister made nothing and poured his life into the foundation's community programs, including helping dropouts get their general equivalency diplomas.
McClain's attorney, John Robbins, said the payments to his client were for legitimate marketing and consulting work, and his marketing success was demonstrated by the large number of students who signed up.
But during the trial, witnesses had a difficult time describing any work that McClain did, and he never took the witness stand.
A conspiracy conviction carries up to five years in prison. Bribery carries up to 10 years, and mail fraud and money laundering up to 20 years. All of the crimes can result in fines of up to $250,000.