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Tom Albritton

Dial Committee Meets Again as The Plot Thickens

By Larry Lee Education Matters The committee set up by Senators Gerald Dial and Quinton Ross held their second session Nov. 10 to question State school board members and others in the on-going effort to determine how an anonymous “smear sheet” discrediting Jefferson County school superintendent Craig Pouncey became public knowledge. Pouncey, a former chief … Continued
November 11, 2016

Ethics Commission: Not Subject to Ethics Laws

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter Here’s a little-known fact: The Alabama Ethics Commission is not governed by the laws it is charged with enforcing. That was made abundantly clear when Commissioner Judge Charles Price voted with a conflict of interest at an Oct. 5th Commission meeting. The conflict arose when he voted yes on … Continued
October 12, 2016

Lease Deal Ended, In-Fighting Still On

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Recently, the Alabama Political Reporter sat with Public Service Commissioner (PSC), Chris “Chip” Beeker and his attorney, James Anderson, at the Offices of Copeland Franco to review documents and recollections regarding a solar option to a lease offered to the commissioner. Controversy grew around the proposed land lease after … Continued
September 22, 2016

Resignation, Failure to Report Raise More Questions

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Five hours after alreporter.com reported that Ethics Commission Vice Chair V. Larkin Martin had not filed her required Statement of Economic Interests, the Commission announced Martin had tendered her resignation. An investigative story of this nature required many phone calls, aggressively following leads and facts, and exposing the coming … Continued
December 29, 2015

Dishonest Brokers

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter Opinion In an al.com report by Mike Cason, Ethics Director, Tom Albritton, carefully worded his response regarding the resignation of Commission Vice Chair, V. Larkin Martin. Eight hours after this publication release its story on Martin. (In a phone conversation with Cason, he admitted he had first learned of the story … Continued
December 29, 2015

Update: Ethics Commission Vice-Chair Fails to File Statement of Economic Interests— Resignation Announced After Report

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter Update: Five hours after the release of this story the Ethics Commission confirms Vice Chair V. Larkin Martin has resigned her post. MONTGOMERY—Alabama code Section 36-25-14 (a) states: “A statement of economic interests shall be completed and filed in accordance with this chapter with the [Ethics] commission…by…(4) Members of the … Continued
December 28, 2015

Ethics Commission Offering Secret Advice

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—It is not widely know that the Alabama Ethic Commission provides confidential opinions to public officials, especially legislators…but they do. Under former Director Jim Sumner, verbal advice was given from time to time without the weight of protection. Under the new administration of Tom Albritton, that private advice comes … Continued
November 17, 2015

Hubbard Calls Only Six Out of Thirty-Seven Witnesses

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—The evidentiary hearing demanded by Speaker Mike Hubbard to expose prosecutorial misconduct and selective and vindictive prosecution concluded with only six of the 37 witnesses having given public testimony. The six who gave testimony were, Henry T. “Sonny” Reagan, Howard “Gene” Sisson, James Sumner, Hugh Evans, Tom Albritton and … Continued
November 2, 2015

Senators Question Ethics Opinions

  By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Recent opinions issued under the guidance of new Ethics Director Tom Albritton are increasingly facing criticism from the press and members of the State legislature. Ethics opinions written for Rep. Patricia Todd (D-Birmingham), Health Officer Dr. Don Williamson, and Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh (R-Anniston), have all … Continued
September 22, 2015

New Ethics Chief Has Close Ties to Hubbard

  By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY— There are growing concerns that new Ethics Chief Tom Albritton’s close ties to Speaker Mike Hubbard’s wife’s family, may have figured into his appointment as Ethics Director, and also led to the opinion that would provide reasonable doubt in the upcoming Hubbard trial. A sea of controversy … Continued
September 16, 2015