Anti-Gay Birmingham Mayor Found Guilty in Federal Bribery Trial, Claims Racism

A jury found Mayor Larry Langford guilty on all 60 federal charges against him, ranging from bribery, fraud and money laundering, Wednesday Afternoon.

Langford and his wife, Melva Langford, claimed racism was the motive behind the conviction.

"In Alabama, black people will never get a fair trial," Melva Langford said. "There should be a total investigation of the Justice Department."

Langford charged the prosecution of rigging the jury. 

"They struck as many blacks off that jury as they could," Langford said.

Only three of the 12 jurors were black.

Langford accepted $236,000 in gifts in exchange for funneling $7.1 million Montgomery investment banker Bill Blount and lobbyist Al LaPierre while he was president of the Jefferson County Commission.

Both Blount and LaPierre pleaded guilty in the case and testified against Langford.

Jurors deliberated less than two hours before returning their verdict on all 60 counts.

As a convicted felon, Langford is automatically removed as the Mayor of Birmingham.

In May of last year Langford refused to sign a Gay Pride proclamation which would have allowed Pride banners on city property, or sign a parade permit saying it was inappropriate for government to endorse a “lifestyle.”

"If I were to sign the permit to put up banners on city right of ways I would be condoning that which I don't condone."