A sentencing hearing for former State Rep. Fred Plump, Jr. (D-Fairfield) scheduled for Monday in a Birmingham federal court has been delayed.
According to court records, no new date has been set yet for Plump’s sentencing.
Plump pleaded guilty in May 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.
Plump faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each charge. He was released on a $5,000 bond.
In May, the DOJ said Plump’s charges followed an investigation into the Jefferson County Community Service Fund (JCCSF), which the Alabama Legislature created in 2015 along with the Jefferson County Community Service Committee, a 1% sales tax and a 1% use tax. The taxes went into effect in 2017.
Lawmakers representing Jefferson County could make recommendations to the Jefferson County Community Service Committee about fund allocation by submitting information about the organization and confirming it intended to use the money for one of the allotted purposes of the fund.
According to the DOJ, State Rep. John Rogers (D-Birmingham) allegedly 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’ assistant.
Rogers pleaded not guilty earlier in October.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
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