Federal Judge Orders Alabama Rep. John Rogers to Jail for Violating Bond
On Monday, longtime Alabama Representative John Rogers was ordered to jail by a federal judge for violating his bond by contacting a witness in his bribery case. U.S. Magistrate Judge Staci Cornelius ordered U.S. Marshals to take Rogers into custody shortly after noon at the federal courthouse in downtown Birmingham.
Rogers, a Democrat who has served in the Alabama legislature for over four decades, was charged in September with obstruction of justice and obstruction of justice by bribery. The charges allege that he offered public money to the founder of a nonprofit organization in exchange for lying to the FBI about a kickback scheme involving public tax dollars.
Last week, federal prosecutors asked the judge to jail Rogers, claiming that he violated his bond by FaceTime calling the nonprofit founder, identified as “Individual #1” in court records. Judge Cornelius stated in court today that she had explicitly instructed Rogers to have no contact with anyone associated with his case. She listened to an audio recording of Rogers’ arraignment from earlier this month, during which she explained the conditions of his bond.
Rogers’ attorney, John Robbins, stated that the Congressman denies attempting to contact the nonprofit founder. The court scheduled a hearing on Thursday afternoon to further address the matter.
Speaking on a talk radio show prior to his court appearance, Rogers maintained his innocence, claiming that the phone call was made in error by someone else. He identified “Individual #1” as George Stewart, the founder of the American Gospel Quartet Convention, a Birmingham-based music nonprofit that received grant funding from Rogers.
According to court records, Rogers sent money to an unnamed nonprofit organization through the Jefferson County Community Service Fund, a collection of local tax dollars that lawmakers distribute to community groups and causes. The records indicate that the American Gospel Quartet Convention was the only organization to receive funding from Rogers in March and November of 2019.
The indictment also reveals that Rogers’ longtime assistant, Varrie Johnson Kindall, played a role in the kickback scheme by requiring the organization to pay her an “administration fee.” Johnson Kindall has been charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, among other offenses, and has pleaded not guilty.
During the court hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney General George Martin argued for revoking Rogers’ bond, stating that the Congressman had violated the court’s no-contact order. Rogers shook his head in disagreement but did not make any public comments.
Rogers’ public relations representative, Carlos Chaverst, claims that the Congressman accidentally called Stewart instead of his accountant, who shares the same last name. Chaverst maintains that it was an honest mistake and that Rogers will be released from jail in time for Thursday’s hearing.
Rogers, meanwhile, continues to express confidence in his eventual acquittal, citing improvements in his health since recent hip surgery. He stated that he has been active, attending the Magic City Classic over the weekend and walking a mile on the treadmill on Monday morning.