Longtime legislative assistant to John Rogers indicted 21 times in federal corruption probe
A longtime assistant to State Representative John Rogers (D-Birmingham) has been indicted on 21 federal charges in an ongoing corruption probe that has already led to the conviction of then-State Rep. Fred Plump (D-Fairfied). Varrie Johnson Kindall is 58 years old and lives in Chelsea. Plump is the founder and executive director of the Piper Davis Youth Baseball League. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges and obstruction of justice in federal court in Birmingham. Plump resigned his seat in the Alabama House of Representatives on May 31 as part of his plea deal with federal prosecutors. Plump, age 76, admits to having taken about $200,000 of the $400,000 that was allocated to the Piper Davis Youth Baseball League by Rep. Rogers before Plump was elected to the legislature. That money was then allocated to “Coach” Plump by Rep. Rogers for the rec league that Plump ran. Plump, in his plea agreement, says that he gave that money to Mrs. Kindall, with whom he claims to have been romantically involved. “Plump understood that if he did not give half of the money to them, Legislator #1 would not direct Fund money to Piper Davis,” prosecutors wrote. The payments took place between 2018 and 2022 before Plump took office. In 2022, Plump challenged veteran incumbent Rep. Rod Scott (D-Fairfield) with the help of Rogers and other Democratic lawmakers who accused Scott of working across the aisle with Republicans too much. Plump narrowly defeated Scott in the Democratic primary runoff. Prosecutors claim that after Plump was informed by federal agents that there was a probe underway, prosecutors claim Plump tried to obstruct the investigation by texting Kindall and giving her a “red alert” about the investigation even though he was warned not to disclose these facts. Plump will be sentenced for his role in this scandal on October 23. Prosecutors are recommending a more lenient sentence as part of his cooperation in the plea deal. Kindall is charged with 14 counts of wire fraud, three counts of mail fraud, two counts of obstruction of justice, one count of money laundering, and one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, according to the indictment Thursday. Plump pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of obstruction of justice. Rogers has denied being involved in any illegal activity. Rogers has identified himself as the unnamed legislator mentioned in the Plump court documents. Kindall is already facing federal charges for allegedly collecting federal retirements on both of her parents for years after they were already dead. Kindall is being defended by noted trial attorney Jim Parkman. The special Democratic primary in Coach Plump’s vacant House District 55 is scheduled for Tuesday, September 26. Kenneth Coachman, Travis Hendrix, Ves Marable, Cara McClure, Phyllis Oden-Jones, Sylvia Swayne, and Antwon Womack are all running for the open House seat. No Republican qualified to run for the seat. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Gov. Kay Ivey announces $300 million in three interstate widening projects in Jefferson County
On Thursday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey and a group of legislative and local government leaders held a press conference in the Hoover city council chambers to announce three major interstate widening projects in Jefferson and Shelby Counties. The Governor announced three major road widening and access improvement projects. On Interstate 459, the project will connect Hwy 150 and Shades Crest Road as well as add lanes and options for motorists. Ivey also announced the widening of Interstate 59 in Trussville from the I-459 junction to the Chalkville Mountain Road Exit. The third project is the widening of Interstate 65 in ShelbyCounty from Alabaster to Calera. “It was exciting to think about this announcement as I drove up 65 this morning, seeing the progress we are making around Clanton and the progress we have already made around Alabaster,” said Gov. Ivey. “And folks, let me tell you, this is just one of many Alabama roads benefiting from our Rebuild Alabama effort,” said Governor Ivey in her remarks. “We are all familiar with the phrase ‘no man left behind.’ Well, Rebuild Alabama seeks to ensure we have no road, bridge, or area of our state left behind.” The Shelby County widening of I-65 from Alabaster to Calera, which runs from Exit 238 to Exit 231, will be especially costly as this project includes six bridges over rail tracks and two bridges over County Road 26. The Shelby County Commission, the City of Alabaster, the City of Calera, and 58 Inc. are providing a total of $20 million in local matching funds, with the remaining funds coming from the state of Alabama and ALDOT’s funds. The federal government will then provide dollars to finish the project. In Hoover, ALDOT is constructing a new interchange to connect Interstate 459 to Highway 150 and South Shades Crest Road in Hoover. The new Hoover Interchange will be located about one mile from the current Exit 10. The City of Hoover has put forward much of the matching funds to draw down federal transportation dollars. The project will cost $120 million. The widening of Interstate 59 from I-459 to Chalkville Mountain Road will involve six laning four miles of interstate. This project will provide additional capacity in this congested area and accommodate future traffic volumes, including those generated by the Birmingham Northern Beltline. This project has an estimated cost of approximately $80 million in ALDOT funds. “We have been working a long time to make these announcements possible –projects totaling about a half a billion dollars,” said Gov. Ivey. “These are wise investments to Rebuild Alabama, and I am proud to get dirt churning on these all within the year.” Ed Austin is the Chief Engineer at the Alabama Department of Transpiration (ALDOT). “It was her leadership, as well as many of the legislators here today, that led to passage of the Rebuild Alabama Act, which allowed us to do what we are doing,” Austin said. “This is just one of the many projects we are doing through Rebuild Alabama.” “I am proud to have dirt churning with these projects in the next year,” said Ivey. “I told ALDOT to finish these projects as quickly and expeditiously as possible.” Austin said that all three of these projects are sections of interstate where more than 65,000 vehicles a day travel. “The surveying has already begun,” Austin said. “The design has also begun.” Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato said, “It is an exciting day for those of us in Hoover.” “The vision for this project began 20 years ago,” Brocato said. “We split the cost with ALDOT approximately 50:50 (on the Hoover project),” Brocato said. “When local government and state government work together, we can make great things happen for citizens.” Brocato warned that there will be “significant risks for motorists” and slower travel times beginning next year as all three of these projects will be underway at the same time. “The interchange will alleviate congestion at our existing ramps,” Brocato said. “This project will also allow for further economic development opportunities for both Jefferson and Shelby Counties.” Trussville Mayor Buddy Choate said, “Trussville has been the fastest growing city in Jefferson County for the last ten yearswith over 26,000 residents. 65,000 cars a day are driving on a two-lane road.” Jefferson County Commissioner Joe Knight is also the President of the Association of County Commissioners of Alabama. Knight warned that construction will impact motorists’ commute times in the next year but, in the long run, will improve transportation times in Jefferson County and across the region. “That (widening of I-59) will also be very important when that Northern Beltline reaches around there,” Knight said. The Chairman of the Shelby County Commission, Kevin Morris, thanked Gov. Ivey for “all the small projects that have already happened.” “It was under your leadership,’ Commissioner Morris said of the Rebuild Alabama Act and the tax increase in fuel taxes that funded that. “We have missed opportunities because of that bottleneck on I-65,” Commissioner Morris said. “It will generate huge opportunities for our area, but also all of Alabama. Each of these projects will benefit every resident of the state of Alabama.” In 2019, Governor Ivey signed into law the historic Rebuild Alabama Act, her legislative plan to address the state’s pressing infrastructure issues by raising fuel taxes in order to generate more than $170 million dollars in state transportation funding. Rebuild Alabama has allowed the state to resurface 400 miles of roadways and fund 234 new road and bridge projects spread across all67 counties. “Improving Alabama’s infrastructure is one of my top priorities as governor,” stated Governor Ivey. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Medical Cannabis Coalition votes to stay license awards
On Thursday, the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) once again voted to stay the issuing of medical cannabis licenses in Alabama. The AMCC is facing a growing host of lawsuits from applicants who claim that they were wrongly denied cannabis licenses by the Commission at their meeting on August 11. On Tuesday, attorneys for the AMCC told the court that they intended to “go back to square one” and award the licenses for a third time, addressing concerns that the procedures for the Commission had violated Alabama’s open meetings law. The plan was tentatively set to again award the licenses on September 19. That plan now appears to be on hold, and no date has been set for the third license awards meeting. Montgomery Circuit Court Judge James Anderson extended his temporary restraining order on the final issuing of the licenses to September 6. “The commission’s action today, while pausing the process, furthers that goal by attempting to avoid additional legal challenges,” said Commission Chairman Rex Vaughn. “We understand that litigation is an obstacle, just as it has been in every other state that has a medical cannabis program. However, we appreciate and join in the court’s commitment to seeing that Alabama’s program becomes operational sooner rather than later.” Chey Garrigan is the Executive Director of the Alabama Cannabis Industry Association (ACIA). “Every day, I get letters and emails from Alabamians who are seeking relief from medical cannabis,” Garrigan said. “We should have had this up and off the ground in September 2021. The people who were not in the courtroom today are not being represented. How many times are we going to have to go through these applications?” Marty Schelper is the President of the Alabama Cannabis Coalition. Schelper disagreed with Garrigan. “The Alabama Cannabis Coalition does not agree with Ms. Garrigan’s position on just hurry this up without fully resolving the matters at hand,” Schelper said. “This legislation was set up to fail because the state decided to create a “Legal” drug cartel, limiting licenses and picking who could participate (and yes, we know there was and is a grading process).” “Free Market Capitalism and competition in the market is good for business and the consumers,” Schelper continued. “Open the markets up to anyone who passes the “litmus test” to operate in Alabama, that has the capital to pay the exorbitant state licensing fees and develop their business model. The position of the Alabama Cannabis Coalition is that the Alabama Legislature needs to be called back to Montgomery in a special session and resolve this once and for all. These lawsuits will continue until this legislation is amended, and the sick, suffering, and dying citizens will remain the victims. Garrigan responded, “Calling a special session to amend the cannabis bill is not realistic. We need real solutions.” The Alabama Legislature passed, and the Governor signed landmark medical cannabis legislation in May 2021, creating the AMCC to regulate the new industry in the state. Most observers understood even then that applicants who were not awarded a license would turn to the courts to seek injunctive relief. That very predictable process is what is playing out now in the courts. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
David Cole pleads guilty and resigns from the state legislature
On Thursday, embattled state legislator David Cole resigned from office and signed a plea deal admitting guilt. Cole was arrested on Tuesday for voter fraud, having voted at an unauthorized location or location. Thursday’s plea agreement ends a year of charges, legal drama, and denials of charges that ultimately appear now to be true. Cole, a Republican, was elected in 2022 to represent House District 10 in Madison County. It has been alleged by his political opponents that Cole, a Huntsville doctor, did not live in House District 10 – an allegation that he strenuously denied even though he owns a house outside of the district. Cole claimed that he leased a house from a friend. This issue has been in litigation for months as his Libertarian opponent, Elijah Boyd, challenged Cole’s residency. On Tuesday, Cole was arrested and charged with fraud-voting at multiple or unauthorized locations. That is a Class C felony. Coles was booked into the Madison County Jail but was later released on a $2,500 bond. According to court documents, Cole “did knowingly vote in the November 8, 2022, general election at a polling police where he had not been authorized to vote, to wit: within the boundaries of Alabama House District 10…” Cole claimed in the primary election that he leased a 25-square-foot area in the friend’s house for just $5 a month. Cole later produced a lease agreement claiming that he leased the whole house. By the time of the general election, he again changed his registration, claiming that he lived in an apartment in District 10. All this time, the house outside of the district that he owned was not sold. Cole then reportedly voted at the polling place for that address. He now apparently admits in the plea agreement that his vote in November was fraudulent, and so were the filing papers he signed when he qualified with the Alabama Republican Party to run for the District 10 seat to begin with. Cole will reportedly agree to accept a three-year prison sentence that will be split into a 60-day sentence in the Madison County jail, with the remainder being served in unsupervised probation. As a condition to this plea deal, Cole has agreed to resign from office and surrender any money that he made as a state legislator. In the coming days, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey will announce the dates for the special election to fill the vacancy in House District 10. Already we are hearing names of prominent Republicans who are seeking support for a run to fill the sudden vacancy. In 2022, the Madison County Democratic Party targeted HD10 as a rare GOP seat that they felt they could realistically expect to flip. Despite this, Cole prevailed in the November general election with 51.6% of the vote (7,581 votes). Democrat Marilyn Lands received 45.0% of the vote (6,608 votes), and Libertarian Elijah Boyd received just 3.4% of the vote (503 votes). Cole is the second member of the House of Representatives to plead guilty to criminal deeds this year. Democrat Fred Plump in Birmingham was the other. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
College football season returns on Saturday
College football season begins anew this weekend. Over two hundred thousand Alabamians will be traveling on the roads this weekend to watch their favorite college teams play and to tailgate with their friends and families before and after the games. Head football coach Nick Saban returns to the University of Alabama for yet another season, and the Tide is once again ranked high in the college football rankings. Bama had a respectable 11 and 2 finish in 2022 but were left out of the college football playoffs. The Tide watched the playoffs on TV last year as the Georgia Bulldogs repeated as national champions. Saban returns, but the Tide has a new offensive and defensive coordinator. Saban is also looking for a quarterback. Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young is now the starting quarterback for the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. Saban has not named a starter at the position, with four quarterbacks competing for playing time. Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson, Tyler Buchner, and freshman Dylan Lonergan have all flashed at points in camp, but according to Saban, none of them have played so well that they have made him give them the job. Most observers seem to think that last year’s backup – Milroe, will be the starter, but for how long? Buchner has more experience, and he worked with the offensive coordinator at Notre Dame last year, before transferring to Tuscaloosa. Simpson and Lonergan both appear to have a high ceiling with more raw talent but would be riskier choices. The Tide’s season kicks off in Tuscaloosa on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Saturday night when the Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders visit. Hugh Freeze is the new head coach of the Auburn Tigers. Auburn finished a disappointing 5 and 7 last year with Brian Harsin being released as head coach in the middle of just his second season on the plains. Auburn was decimated in the two years after Coach Gus Malzahn was fired, with dozens of players leaving the program through the transfer portal and Harsin’s recruiting classes being less impressive than what the Tigers’ fans were used to. Freeze went heavy into the transfer portal to quickly replenish Auburn’s depth chart with upperclassmen transfers from other programs. Freeze has named Payton Thorne as the starting quarterback, with Thorne having beat out Robby Ashford in fall camp. Auburn’s season kicks off in Auburn on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. with the University of Massachusetts coming to visit. Trent Dilfer is the new head coach at the UAB Blazers. Dilfer won his first game with the Blazers on Thursday night with a 35 to 6 win over North Carolina A&T. UAB quarterback Jacob Zeno was nearly perfect, completing 34 of his 37 pass attempts for 247 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. 13 different Blazers caught passes, and 9 Blazers has running carries for 177 yards on the ground. The Blazers defense held NCAT to just 16 yards through the air and 157 yards on the ground. Troy University also starts their season at home on Saturday with Stephen F. Austin at 6:00 p.m. Jon Sumrall returns as the Trojans head coach. With 12 wins last year, Troy had the most wins in its history since moving up in division. Gunnar Watson is the starting quarterback. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
AG Steve Marshall says the state can prosecute those who help women travel for abortions
Alabama’s attorney general argued in a court filing that the state has the authority to bring conspiracy charges against groups who help women travel to another state for an abortion. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall’s office made the assertion in a Monday motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by an abortion assistance fund and others arguing such prosecutions would be unconstitutional. The groups are seeking a legal ruling clarifying that Alabama can’t prosecute people for providing financial, appointment, or travel assistance for an Alabama woman to obtain an abortion in another state. Alabama bans abortion at any stage of pregnancy. Marshall argued while it’s legal for a woman to travel out of state for an abortion, he suggested groups that help her do so could face prosecution. “An elective abortion performed in Alabama would be a criminal offense; thus, a conspiracy formed in the State to have that same act performed outside the State is illegal,” the attorney general’s office wrote in the court filing. His office wrote that the Alabama Legislature categorized abortion as among the highest wrongs, “comparing it to murder” and “Alabama can criminalize Alabama-based conspiracies to commit abortions elsewhere.” Marshall has not prosecuted anyone for providing abortion assistance, but he has made statements saying that his office would “look at” groups that provide help. Those words have had a chilling effect on advocates, the groups said. The Yellowhammer Fund, a group that provided financial assistance to low-income abortion patients, stopped the work because of prosecution concerns. Lawyers for the plaintiffs argued Marshall is illegally trying to extend Alabama’s abortion ban outside its borders. A federal judge has scheduled a Sept. 5 hearing in the case. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
Hyundai and LG will invest an additional $2B into making batteries at Georgia electric vehicle plant
Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution said Thursday they will spend an additional $2 billion and hire an extra 400 workers to make batteries at the automaker’s sprawling U.S. electrical vehicle plant that’s under construction in Georgia. The announcement by the South Korea-based companies — one a major automaker, the other a leading producer of lithium-ion batteries used to power electric vehicles — expands on a partnership they launched three months ago to produce batteries at the same site west of Savannah, where Hyundai plans to start EV production in 2025. The news Thursday brings the companies’ total investment in the Georgia plant to more than $7.5 billion and the site’s overall planned workforce to 8,500. “This incremental investment in Bryan County reflects our continued commitment to create a more sustainable future powered by American workers,” José Muñoz, president and global chief operating officer of Hyundai Motor Company, said in a statement. Hyundai said in 2022 it would invest $5.5 billion to assemble electric vehicles and batteries on 2,900 acres (1,170 hectares) in the community of Ellabell. It’s not clear whether the additional investment and jobs announced Thursday mean the Hyundai/LG battery plant will produce more batteries. When the joint venture was first announced in May, the companies said they would supply batteries for 300,000 EVs per year — equal to the initial projected production of the adjoining vehicle assembly plant. Hyundai has said the Georgia plant could later expand to build 500,000 vehicles annually. Landing Hyundai’s first U.S. plant dedicated to EV manufacturing was hailed as the largest economic development project in Georgia’s history when it was first announced last year. Since then, suppliers have pledged to invest nearly $2.2 billion and to hire 5,000 people. “Today, we’re building on that success as we continue to make Georgia the e-mobility capital of the nation,” Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement hailing Hyundai and LG’s additional investment in the plant. Georgia and local governments will kick in additional incentives, said Jessica Atwell, a spokesperson for the state Department of Economic Development. However, she said those won’t be disclosed until next week after documents are finalized. State and local governments have already pledged $1.8 billion in tax breaks and other perks. The new investment will allow more tax breaks that the company can claim by law, like another $10 million in state income tax credits at $5,250 per job over five years. Atwell said state and local governments could also end up spending more on discretionary incentives like infrastructure aid and equipment subsidies. The Hyundai package has already been described as the largest subsidy package a U.S. state has ever promised an automotive plant. That is according to Greg LeRoy, executive director of Good Jobs First, a group skeptical of subsidies to private companies. The announcements are part of an electric vehicle and battery land rush across the United States. Under the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, EVs must be assembled in North America, and a certain percentage of their battery parts and minerals must come from North America or a U.S. free trade partner to qualify for a full $7,500 EV tax credit. Currently, no Hyundai or Kia vehicles are eligible for the tax credit unless they are leased. Hyundai opposed having foreign-made vehicles excluded, in part because it is building American factories. Hyundai will need batteries for more than just vehicles made in Ellabell. The company is already assembling electric vehicles at its plant in Montgomery, Alabama, and announced in April it would start assembling its electric Kia EV9 large SUV at the Kia plant in West Point, Georgia. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
Gov. Kay Ivey announces plan to widen Interstate 65 in Shelby County, other projects
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced three major interstate construction projects Thursday, including the widening of Interstate 65 in Shelby County. Ivey announced the $500 million in construction projects during a news conference in Hoover. The largest project is the widening of I-65 from Alabaster to Calera. The stretch of roadway south of Birmingham is often congested with commuter and commercial traffic. The project is expected to increase the width of the interstate from two lanes each way to three lanes each way __ jumping from four lanes to six overall. The project, which includes multiple bridges over rail tracks and roadways, will cost an estimated $300 million, according to Ivey’s office. “It was exciting to think about this announcement as I drove up 65 this morning, seeing the progress we are making around Clanton and the progress we have already made around Alabaster,” Ivey said. “Improving Alabama’s infrastructure is one of my top priorities as governor.” The widening of Interstate 65, which runs from the Tennessee-Alabama state line to Mobile, has emerged as a political issue. Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth said the state should make it a priority to widen all of I-65 to six lanes. The second largest project is the construction of a new interchange to connect Interstate 459 to Highway 150 and South Shades Crest Road in Hoover. The final project is to widen a four-mile (6.4 kilometer) stretch of Interstate 59 from I-459 to Chalkville Mountain Road. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
Alabama lawmaker David Cole agrees to plead guilty to voter fraud
An Alabama legislator has agreed to plead guilty to a felony voter fraud charge that he used a fraudulent address to run for office in a district where he did not live, according to an agreement filed Thursday. Republican Rep. David Cole of Huntsville will plead guilty to a charge of voting in an unauthorized location, according to a plea agreement filed in state court. He will resign from office on the day he enters his guilty plea. Cole, a doctor and Army veteran, was elected to the House of Representatives last year. According to a plea agreement, Cole signed a lease in 2021 to pay $5 per month for a “5X5 space” in a home in order to run for office in House District 10. Cole had some mail sent there, but never lived there and never “stepped past the entry foyer” on the two times he visited the location, according to the plea agreement. Alabama law requires candidates to live in a legislative district for one year before they run for office. Cole signed the lease for the space two days after a redistricting plan was enacted that placed the home, where Cole had lived since 2014, in another House district. Cole, in 2022, signed a lease for an apartment in District 10, but he continued to claim a property tax break from the county by saying he resided at his house. “Dr. Cole admits and takes full responsibility for the mistakes he made in the political process. He entered the process to serve his community. he has lived a life of service, including serving for 22 years in the Army with tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Egypt,” Bill Espy, a lawyer representing Cole, said in a statement on Cole’s behalf. According to the plea agreement, Cole will serve 60 days in the Madison County Jail and the remainder of a three-year sentence on unsupervised probation. Cole’s arrest on Tuesday comes after accusations surfaced that he did not live in the district in which he was elected. Elijah Boyd, the Libertarian candidate in the district, had filed an election challenge in civil court, arguing that Cole did not live in District 10 and was not eligible to represent the district. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
