Video: McClain reacts to verdict

A federal jury convicted state senator E.B. McClain and Reverend Samuel Pettagrue on all counts Wednesday evening.

The panel believed prosecutors’ claims McClain used Pettagrue’s charity to receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks.

It is time for Alabama politicians to recognize that they cannot abuse the public trust and take public money to put in their pocket,” United States Attorney Alice Martin said immediately following Wednesday’s verdict.

McClain was charged with using his power as a state Senator to secure state grant money for Pettagrue’s charity at Sardis Baptist Church in Birmingham.

In return, the government argued, Pettagrue paid McClain $305,000 in ‘so called’ consulting fees.

“We still contend that everything we did was honorable and above board so the fight continues,” McClain maintained after the decision.

However, he didn’t hide what his felony conviction means for his seat in Montgomery.

“It’s over.  The senate seat is gone.  I do not wish to be referred to as senator because it is over as of that verdict,” McClain stated.

Following the verdict, Pettagrue implied his legal fight wasn’t over.

“From the legal standpoint I do hope to be exonerated.  From the spiritual standpoint and what my life has meant to this community I’m already exonerated,” Pettagrue pointed out.

Each defendant was released on bond until their sentencing on May 15th.