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Alabama Ethics Commission

Former Randolph County chief deputy indicted

Friday, the Randolph County grand jury returned forty counts against former Randolph County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy William “Billy” Lane. Lane was indicted on eleven counts of using his official office for personal gain, one count of first degree theft of property, and for 28 counts fraudulent use of a debit or credit card. The … Continued
February 25, 2019

Economic developers want to expand ethics law exemptions

The Alabama Code of Ethics Clarification and Reform Commission met in Montgomery for a public hearing on proposed “reforms” to the Alabama Ethics Law Tuesday. Many people in the economic development community were present to express their support for efforts to reform the state ethics law. They supported pending legislation to protect economic developers and … Continued
February 1, 2019

Zeigler completes year-end audit

As 2018 closes, State Auditor Jim Zeigler says that his office, which he calls “the watchman for the people” suffered adversities in 2018, but overcame them with solid improvements. The biggest setback was when the Auditor’s staff were kicked out of Alabama State House. In April, the Legislative Council notified Zeigler that his staff must … Continued
December 26, 2018

Ethics Commission will hear Marshall/RAGA case on Wednesday

The case of Steve Marshall and the $735,000 in illegal campaign contributions will finally be heard by the Alabama Ethics Commission on Wednesday. Former Alabama Attorney General Troy King told APR on Tuesday that he had received a notice from the Ethics Commission that afternoon notifying him that the complaint he filed against Marshall, the … Continued
December 19, 2018

Zeigler: ‘Watchman against waste’ is needed in Washington

State Auditor Jim Zeigler continues to explore a campaign for the U.S. Senate saying that, “Montgomery can waste millions, but Washington can waste billions.” Zeigler said in a statement that wasteful government spending will be the theme of his new exploratory campaign to “test the waters” for a possible run for the U.S. Senate seat … Continued
December 18, 2018

Public corruption unpunished, public left in the dark

Two former state public officials appear to be receiving extraordinary leniency, and the public should demand to know why. In one case, former Sumter County Sheriff Tyrone Clark pleaded guilty to eight criminal charges including ethics violations and drug charges. However, District Attorney Greg Griggers who oversaw the investigation announced after Clark’s plea that he … Continued
December 6, 2018

Matt Hart’s dismissal raises a number of questions, some with national implications

The forced resignation of Deputy Attorney General Matt Hart — the head of the Alabama attorney general’s public corruption unit who is widely known as the most feared man in Alabama politics — has raised a number of serious questions about ongoing investigations, some of which have national implications. Hart’s resignation, which was hastily forced … Continued
November 21, 2018

EPA Region 4 administrator Trey Glenn resigns after indictment

Monday, the EPA Administrator for Region 4, Onis “Trey” Glenn III has resigned just days after a Jefferson County grand jury returned indictments against Glenn and former Alabama Environmental Management Commissioner (AEMC) Scott Phillips on multiple counts of conspiracy and/or complicity to violate the Alabama Ethics Act. “I offer my resignation,” Glenn wrote. “As you … Continued
November 20, 2018

More than $100,000 campaign finance penalties collected during 2018 election season

More than $100,000 in campaign finance fines and fees have been collected during the 2018 campaign season in Alabama. The Alabama Secretary of State’s Office said Friday that $197,657.84 in Fair Campaign Practices Act penalties have been issued, and $102,249.05 of those fees have been paid by political action committees and principal campaign committees. The Secretary … Continued
November 19, 2018