BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — John Rogers, the longest-serving member of the Alabama House of Representatives and a prominent figure in the state’s Black caucus, has been sentenced to 13 months in prison for his involvement in stealing funds from a community service program.
Rogers, who has represented his district since 1982, pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, as well as conspiracy to obstruct justice. His guilty plea followed an indictment related to a scheme with another former Alabama politician, Rep. Fred Plump Jr.
“It’s in God’s hands,” Rogers remarked outside the Hugo L. Black U.S. Courthouse after his sentencing. “I’m fine with it.”
Plump and Rogers’ former assistant, Varrie Johnson Kindall, also pleaded guilty to related charges. Plump has since resigned and received a one-year prison sentence.
Prosecutors revealed that between 2018 and 2022, Rogers directed $400,000 to a youth baseball organization run by Plump, later requesting a $200,000 kickback from that amount. Additionally, he faced charges for allegedly attempting to bribe a witness to provide false information during the ongoing investigation.
Rogers’ attorney, John Robbins, stated that the former lawmaker accepts full responsibility for his actions and recognizes the breach of trust with his constituents.
“He wishes he could apologize to each one of them personally,” Robbins said. “He’s deeply sorry and feels embarrassed and humiliated. He regrets not setting a better example for future lawmakers, but his contributions to the community over 40 years should not be overlooked.”
This isn’t Rogers’ first encounter with federal prosecution; in 1989, he was indicted for taking $5,000 from a coal miners union in exchange for legislative support but was acquitted. Another ethics investigation had no outcomes due to the statute of limitations, and in 2010, the FBI seized a computer from his office without charges being filed.
Assistant U.S. Attorney George Martin expressed satisfaction with the sentencing, emphasizing its importance for current and future lawmakers.
“John Rogers has received his punishment, serving as a reminder that stealing public funds is not worth the consequences,” Martin stated.
Following his guilty plea, Rogers resigned from the House. On October 1, Democratic nominee Kelvin Datcher will face Republican nominee Carlos Crum for Rogers’ seat in House District 52.