He may not be a household name, but most folks who pay attention to Alabama politics will know Al LaPierre.

Executive Director of the Alabama Democratic Party from 1982 to 1994 and a respected lobbyist for many years. He often appeared as a political commentator on FOX6 News and Paul Finebaum’s radio show in Birmingham.

In 12 days he’ll report to a federal prison in Pensacola, Fl. for his role in the bribery of former Birmingham mayor Larry Langford (who is currently serving time in a Kentucky prison).

In a lengthy interview airing tonight on FOX6 News at 9, LaPierre talks about the scheme with Montgomery investment banker Bill Blount (who is also reporting to prison this month).

LaPierre says Langford had deep financial problems when he served as president of the Jefferson County Commission.

“We tried to help him out with it… what started out as trying to help getting his feet on the ground turned out to be something really awful and tragic.”

Those payments and gifts came at a time when federal prosecutors say Langford directed millions in complicated bond swaps through Blount’s firm.

LaPierre says he recalls when he realized the relationship would likely bring an investigation.

“But I think at that point, you say, we’ve gone this far now… we gotta try to swim it out.”

LaPierre also recalls the January 2009 day the phone call came from his attorney informing him he had been indicted.

“Tommy (Spina) called and said this is the day. Come over to my office. You stiffen up. You shake a little, but at the same time, in a way, you are relieved.”

Asked about the current federal investigation that saw lobbyists and legislators appear before a federal grand jury in Montgomery last week, LaPierre says “some of those people have been at this game a lot longer than I have and they knew where that line was and never crossed it. I hope so. At the same time, I always thought I knew where the line was and I did know, but my mistake was I crossed it.”

Again, the story runs tonight on FOX6 News at 9 and 10 in Birmingham.

Read more of Rick Journey’s blogs here.

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