First week of Langford trial in the books
Jon Paepcke / NBC13
Al LaPierre leaves court on Friday afternoon.
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala.—-The first week of testimony in the Larry Langford federal corruption case ended around 3:30 pm Friday.
Today’s testimony came from Langford’s two co-defendants, Bill Blount and Al LaPierre.
Other testimony during the first 4 days of witnesses came from numerous New York City clothing stores, former Colonial Bank officers and former Jefferson County Finance Director Steve Sayler.
Current Jefferson County Commissioners Bettye Fine Collins and Shelia Smoot, along with former commissioners Gary White and Mary Buckelew could testify next week.
Langford faces 60 charges from a federal indictment returned in June 2008 and unsealed 6 months later.
Among the charges are bribery, money laundering, conspiracy, mail and wire fraud and filing a false tax return.
Prosecutors claim Langford accepted $235,000 in cash, clothing and jewelry from investment banker Bill Blount and lobbyist Al LaPierre.
In exchange, prosecutors argue, Langford arranged lucrative bond swap deals for Blount and LaPierre while Langford served as President of the Jefferson County Commission.
Langford has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Blount has pleaded guilty to conspiracy and bribery and LaPierre admitted guilt to conspiracy and filing a false tax return.
If Langford is convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum of 804 years in prison.
The trial is expected to last two weeks.
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