State Lawmaker, Lobbyist Appear in Court on conspiracy, bribery and mail fraud charges

An Alabama legislator and a lobbyist who once chaired the Alabama Republican Party are scheduled to appear in federal court later today {Wednesday} on conspiracy charges.

Alabama Republican Representative Jack D. Williams of Vestavia Hills and lobbyist Marty Connors are scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon in federal court in Montgomery.

The two were arrested earlier this month, along with G. Ford Gilbert of California, on conspiracy to commit bribery and mail fraud charges.

Those charges relate to payments made to another lawmaker to advance an insurance bill. Prosecutors say Gilbert paid then-state Rep. Micky Hammon to push legislation in 2016 that would require Blue Cross to cover treatments at his diabetes clinics.

Read more: http://apr.org/post/state-lawmaker-lobbyist-appear-court


Related article:
Rep. Jack Williams, lobbyist Marty Connors and California healthcare CEO arrested on federal corruption charges

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Federal authorities arrested State Representative Jack D. Williams (R-Vestavia Hills), lobbyist Marty Connors, former chairman of the state Republican Party and Ford Gilbert, CEO of Trina Health, LLC on Monday on charges stemming from involvement with a public corruption scheme.

Each is charged with conspiracy to commit bribery related to federal programs, conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and honest services wire fraud. This is according to US Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr.

The indictment reports Gilbert is the owner of a company that operates diabetes treatment centers around the world. Between 2014 and 2015, the company opened three clinics in Alabama. Not long after those opened, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama informed Trina Health it would not cover treatments provided by Trina Health. The indictment says Gilbert then plotted to force Blue Cross to change its stance.

According to the US Attorneys office, Gilbert came up with a plan to push a bill through the 2016 Alabama Legislature session. The bill would require Blue Cross to cover the treatments.

Read more: http://whnt.com/2018/04/02/rep-jack-williams-lobbyist-marty-connors-and-california-company-owner-arrested-on-federal-corruption-charges/

==============

Is anyone surprised that Republicans are involved?