Ethics panel sends complaint about Alabama senator to district attorney
The Alabama Ethics Commission has voted to refer a complaint against Montgomery Sen. David Burkette to the Montgomery County District Attorney for review. It was not immediately clear Wednesday what the complaint entailed, or when the alleged offense occurred, The Montgomery Advertiser reported. Information from: Montgomery Advertiser, https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com. Burkette’s attorney, Al Agricola, declined to discuss the allegations. “I can say that Sen. Burkette looks forward to the opportunity to show that he has not committed any crime or intentionally violated the law,” Agricola said. “We’ll see how this all develops.” Montgomery District Attorney Daryl Bailey said the attorney general’s office will handle the issue. A spokesman for the Alabama Attorney General’s office, Mike Lewis, said he was unable to answer questions about the case Wednesday. Burkette, who served on Montgomery City Council from 2007 to 2018, was elected to the Alabama Senate last year. Burkette suffered a stroke late last year but served through the legislative session this spring. The Alabama Ethics Commission reviews complaints against elected officials. If it finds probable cause that an ethics violation occurred, it refers the complaint to the attorney general or the appropriate district attorney. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
JeffCo Sheriff, DA candidates face-off in debate
Jefferson County voters have more information about the candidates running for Jefferson County Sheriff and District Attorney (DA) thanks to a public debate hosted Sunday evening. DA candidates, Republican incumbent Mike Anderton and Democrat challenger Danny Carr faced-off first, before the Sheriff candidates, incumbent Republican Mike Hale and Democrat challenger Mark Pettway took the stage at the UAB campus. The debate was hosted by the Birmingham Association of Black Journalists and the Phi Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. the debate also featured a voter education session, which answered questions such as: What issues will be on the ballot? How do you navigate the Alabama Voter website to find your polling place? How to register to vote. And how to absentee vote. DA debate Crime and recidivism Anderton: “My primary goal is to work with those who have gotten in trouble before, try to figure out why they have gotten in trouble,” Anderton said according to the Birmingham Times. “Is it poverty? Is it lack of education? Is it lack of a job?. . . Let’s work with those who have recently gotten out of prison or jail. So that we can work with them to take care of whatever their needs are. Theirs are just as important. They’re coming out and needing our help. “What we’ve got to do is make sure they have some hope, make sure they’ve got something in their future that they can walk to with pride and know that when they get there they’ve accomplished something.” Carr: “Make sure that we do things that benefit those individuals while they’re paying for the crime that they committed,” Carr said according to the Birmingham Times. “The worst thing that could happen is that they go in and come out worse . . . because then they come in our community [and cause even more problems]. We have to . . . make sure that you are placing people in the best position they can be in when they get out so that they won’t return to a life of crime.” Watch the DA debate below: Sheriff debate Body cameras Both candidates agreed that body cameras protect sheriff deputies and citizens. “This day and age there is no reason why we should not have body cameras,” explained Pettway. Watch the Sheriff debate below:
Kay Ivey appoints Mike Anderton as Jefferson County District Attorney
Gov. Kay Ivey on Wednesday appointed Mike Anderton to fill the vacancy of the Jefferson County District Attorney. Anderton’s appointment follows the ouster of DA Charles Todd Henderson who was found guilty of first-degree perjury by a jury in October. “I am proud to appoint Mike Anderton as Jefferson County District Attorney. Out of all the applicants, Mike had the most experience, and I know he will work effectively, and with integrity, for the people of Birmingham and all of Jefferson County,” Ivey said. Ivey continued, “Having dedicated his legal career to bringing justice to innocent victims and their families, and working 33 years in the Jefferson County DA’s Office, I am confident in Mike’s abilities to effectively serve as District Attorney.” After graduating from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication and beginning his professional career, Anderton went on to earn his Juris Doctorate from Cumberland School of Law. He began his legal career in the Fifth Judicial Circuit in Alexander City, Ala., in 1982 as an Assistant District Attorney. In 1984, he began working in the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office and still serves there presently. During his prosecutorial career, Anderton has participated in approximately 350 felony and misdemeanor jury trials, including numerous capital murders, homicides, drug offenses and property crimes. He was also part of the original “Vertical Prosecution Unit” which was formed by the District Attorney’s Office in 1991, to meet the special needs of victims and families of homicides and child sexual and physical abuse. Since 1987, he has served as Division Chief, wherein he supervises eight Deputy District Attorneys and many support personnel. “I thank Governor Ivey for placing her trust in me to serve as Jefferson County District Attorney. I am committed to putting my years of experience as a prosecutor to work for the people of the 10th Judicial Circuit in my new role as District Attorney,” Anderton said in a news release. “The Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office needs to continue its tradition of stability and integrity. I look forward to leading my office in the pursuit of justice, citizens’ trust and victims’ rights.” Anderton’s appointment is effective Friday, Dec. 1, 2017. He will serve until the 2018 general election.
Lynneice Washington becomes first African American woman DA in Alabama
Last week was a historic week for Alabama as Lynneice Washington took the oath of office as Bessemer Cutoff district attorney on Tuesday, becoming the first African American woman to hold the position. The Auburn University at Montgomery alumna narrowly beat incumbent Bill Veitch for the position by only 284 votes, according to the secretary of state’s office. “I know the people, I know the community and I think it’s time, it’s time for change and I plan to be the one to implement that change, positive change,” Washington told WIAT. “I want to include, I want to be rooted in the community.” Most recently Washington served as the presiding judge in Bessemer Municipal Court, before retiring to run for DA. Prior to that the Birmingham-native worked as an assistant district attorney from 2002 to 2010, in the same office where she’s now the DA.
Governor Robert Bentley appoints 9 to Human Resources Task Force
Last week, Governor Robert Bentley made nine appointments to the Human Resources Task Force which was created by Executive Order 11. These appointments were: Mac McCutcheon, State Representative, Task Force chair Chris England, State Representative Lyn Head, District Attorney Nancy Buckner, Commissioner, Alabama Department of Human Resources Greg Reed, State Senator Chris Newlin, Executive Director, National Children’s Advocacy Center Adrienne LaBudde, Attorney Paul Vincent, Expert, Child Welfare Practice Martha Hooper, Foster Parent Advocate, Alabama Foster and Adoptive Parent Association According to the order the purpose of the task force is: BE IT ORDERED, that the Task Force shall analyze ways to improve the delivery of services by DHR, including, but not limited to, the following: Methods to strengthen the quality and consistency of screening of reports of child abuse. Family assessments stemming from and adequacy of resources to respond to child abuse reports. Training of child welfare workers including supervisors. Early intervention and prevention services for children and families at risk of abuse. Transparency of the child protection system. Review of the child protection system focusing on whether the intervention provided is making a difference in the lives of children. Review of foster care services as an integral part of the child protection system. Methods to increase the utilization of local resources. BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that the Task Force shall examine and analyze the state laws, practices, policies, and procedures of DHR relating to the reporting and response to child abuse. The Task Force may hold public hearing and otherwise receive and review written comments from individuals and organizations. BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that the Task Force shall report to the Governor by January 15, 2016, and shall include in its report recommendations to improve the child protection system including any suggested changes in state laws and practices, policies, and procedures of DHR in the delivery of child protection services. BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that the Task Force shall meet at the call of the chair and shall adopt rules governing the manner of conducting its business. The Task Force and any committee of the Task Force may meet by teleconference. All Task Force members shall serve without compensation. BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that this Executive Order shall become effective immediately upon signing and shall remain in force until such time it is modified or rescinded by the Governor. You can find more information on open board positions on the appointments webpage.
