An assistant to State Rep. John Rogers (D-Birmingham) has been indicted for allegedly stealing $200,000 in state grant money meant for various projects in Jefferson County.
Federal prosecutors announced Thursday that 53-year-old Varri Johnson Kindall had been charged with money laundering, conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and obstruction of justice, according to reports.
The funds in question were allegedly skimmed from the Jefferson County Community Service Fund. Kindall reportedly received a total of $200,000 from former State Rep. Fred Plump Jr. (D-Fairfield) — who earlier this year pleaded guilty to conspiracy and obstruction of justice — which came out of $400,000 he received between 2019 and 2022 from Rogers.
Rogers gave the majority of the money he received from the community service fund to Plump to support the Piper Davis Youth Baseball League, of which Plump served as executive director. Plump and Kindall allegedly misled the fund committee about how the sports league would use the funds.
Kindall was also accused of bribing someone to give false information to federal agents investigating her and Plump.
The indictment against Kindall includes one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, 14 counts of wire fraud, one count of money laundering, two counts of obstruction of justice, and three counts of mail fraud.
Each charge carries a maximum sentence of multiple years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email daniel.taylor@1819news.com.
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