Pritchard’s former chief of staff gets year in prison

A former chief of staff for an Alabama city has been sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison.

James Antuan Blackman, 33, of Mobile, pleaded guilty Feb. 19 to one count each of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and money laundering.

In addition to the jail time, Chief U.S. District Judge Kristi K. DuBose on Aug. 21 ordered Blackman to pay more than $200,000 in restitution to the City of Pritchard, where he served as chief of staff, Al.com reported.

According to Blackman’s plea, during his time as Pritchard’s chief of staff and administrative assistant from November 2016 to January 2018, he used his position to divert money and property to himself.

Documents show Blackman said he falsified city invoices, deposited city checks to his own account, and used his position to divert three pieces of property from the city to his own benefit. Then, Blackman laundered money through a $39,200 wire transfer from a bank account under his control to a title company to buy property, authorities said.

Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.