A federal grand jury last year charged Rep. John Rogers on multiple new counts relating to an alleged kickback scheme involving state monies, according to FBI agents.
The grand jury said in its indictment that funds from the Jefferson County Community Service Fund were unlawfully used for bribes and kickbacks. As a result, more charges about money laundering, wire fraud, and mail fraud have been brought.
To support public welfare and education, the Jefferson County Commission was granted the authority to impose new taxes in 2015 according to a statute passed by state legislators.
In late 2017, it was put into effect. Rogers and former state representative Fred Plump, who was convicted last year on charges of conspiracy and obstruction, would be among the committee of Jefferson County lawmakers who would choose which organizations would receive the cash.
State delegates on the committee received a yearly allocation of around $100,000 to donate to any nonprofit of their choice between 2018 and 2022.
According to the indictment, Plump’s Piper Davis Youth Baseball League received approximately $400,000 from Rogers between 2018 and 2022. Approximately $200,000 was paid as a kickback to Rogers and his aide, Varrie Kindall.
“Defendant John Rogers would and did recommend that the majority of defendant Rogers’ allotment of fund money be paid to Piper Davis each fiscal year,” the indictment states, “with defendant Varrie Kindall’s assistance.” This was a component of the conspiracy.
Furthermore, Fred Plump was required to pay bribes to defendants Rogers and Kindall from fund funds that defendant Rogers had routed to Piper Davis.
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In addition, Kindall is accused of accepting “full responsibility” for the offenses if Rogers’ agreement to handle Kindall’s “personal matters” while he was incarcerated was revealed, according to the indictment.
In an attempt to prevent Plump from speaking with federal authorities, Rogers was charged with obstruction last year. The accusations stemmed from allegations that he had given Plump assistance in obtaining state funding in exchange for a cash payment.
Rogers is facing further accusations that include making false statements, conspiring to obstruct justice, conspiring to commit mail and wire fraud, and conspiring to commit mail and wire fraud. Kindall, the assistant to Rogers, is now facing additional accusations related to mail fraud, money laundering, wire fraud, obstruction of justice, obstruction of justice by bribery, failure to submit tax returns, and assistance in creating misleading tax returns.
In addition to resigning from office and agreeing to pay $200,000 in restitution, Plump had already entered a guilty plea to two criminal offenses. In the past, Rogers told Alabama Daily News, “I haven’t seen one red penny.” Rogers has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
Since 1982, Rogers has been the representative for Alabama House District 52.
