Former State Rep. Fred Plump, Jr. (D-Fairfield) was sentenced on Friday to serve one year in prison for his role in a kickback scheme that led to federal convictions for multiple members of the Alabama House of Representatives.
Plump pleaded guilty in May 2023 to conspiracy and obstruction of justice after the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) accused him of conspiring with others to siphon money from a public works fund in Jefferson County, which it said involved submitting false and fraudulent information to county officials.
The scheme also saw the prosecution and resignation of former State Rep. John Rogers (D-Birmingham), who resigned from his seat in the House in May after pleading guilty to fraud and conspiracy charges.
SEE: John Rogers officially resigns his seat in Alabama House of Representatives after guilty plea
Plump will report to prison in August to serve a one-year sentence for his role in the scheme.
In February, Rogers' former assistant and companion, Varrie Johnson Kindall, pleaded guilty to conspiring with Rogers and Plump to defraud the Fund. Plump pleaded guilty to conspiracy and obstruction of justice charges in June 2023 and resigned from the Alabama House of Representatives. Court records state that Kindall and Plump had an adulterous relationship.
According to the indictments, the Alabama Legislature passed Alabama Act No. 2015-226 (the "Act") in 2015. It authorized the Jefferson County Commission to levy and distribute a 1% sales tax and a 1% use tax to benefit the public welfare and enhance the education of the children of Jefferson County.
Records state Rogers directed $400,000 to the Piper Davis Youth Baseball League, where Plump was the executive director. Plump, in turn, gave around $200,000 in kickbacks to Rogers and Kindall.
Rogers is still awaiting sentencing.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
