Two-year college investigation shifts to Alabama legislators and board of education members as former Chancellor Roy Johnson agrees to plead guiltyA federal criminal investigation that targeted former two-year college Chancellor Roy Johnson now focuses on legislators and state school board members, following Johnson's agreement to plead guilty and cooperate with prosecutors, U.S. Attorney Alice Martin said Thursday.
Johnson, once among the most powerful legislators in Alabama, signed a deal last week to plead guilty to 15 counts of bribery, conspiracy, obstruction, witness tampering and money laundering, Martin said in a news conference Thursday. He also has agreed to plead guilty to a state ethics felony.
Johnson faces a maximum sentence of "essentially life in prison," Martin said, for his role in a corruption scheme that tapped more than $18.3 million of taxpayer money.
"Johnson used his position as chancellor to build a power pyramid on a foundation of corruption," Martin said. "Today, the pyramid has collapsed and those who helped build it will feel the impact."
Johnson, 62, could see his estimated maximum prison time of more than 35 years reduced if he cooperates with investigators reviewing college jobs and contracts given to Alabama lawmakers and relatives of board members, Martin said. He could provide valuable help as an insider once privy to political deals made to secure the loyalty of legislators and school board members.
Birmingham News And, everyone wonder where all the school funding is going and ask why schools are without toliet paper and other needed resources.
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