BIRMINGHAM – The former executive director of the Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity (JCCEO) entered a guilty plea on Tuesday to the theft of close to $500,000 from the nonprofit organization, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard D. Schwein Jr.
Ruth Gayle Cunningham, 63, entered the guilty plea before United States District Judge L. Scott Coogler. Sentencing was set for January 22, 2014.  She faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Cunningham’s daughter, Kelli E. Caulfield, 31, was charged with conspiracy in the scheme to defraud JCCEO and is set to enter a guilty plea on September 30, 2013.
In a related case, mortgage broker Brad A. Bozeman, 34, of Hoover, also entered a guilty plea to a charge of conspiracy to defraud a federally insured financial institution by either making or transmitting false statements and reports intended to influence a financial institution in connection with the sale of residential properties. Bozeman made false statements on loan applications by including false income or not revealing all debts and liabilities of the purchasers, and transmitting that information as true and accurate. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Cunningham was executive director of JCCEO for more than 20 years before resigning the job in March. The organization employed Caulfield from May 2009 to January 2013. JCCEO is a community action agency that administers programs, including Head Start, for low-income and disadvantaged residents.
Cunningham acknowledged in her plea agreement that, between March 2009 and April 2010, she used JCCEO funds to make monthly mortgage payments on at least three residential properties she owned, and at least five residential properties her daughter owned, in Jefferson and Shelby counties. Cunningham also used JCCEO funds to pay property taxes on one of those properties, a house in Chelsea that she bought in 2007 with a mortgage loan of more than $1 million.
Cunningham also paid $293,413 in JCCEO funds to companies owned by her daughter, and to other contractors, for claimed repairs or renovations to the women’s properties, according to their plea agreements.
The FBI discovered the fraud at JCCEO while it was investigating allegations of a mortgage fraud scheme. That investigation led to federal prosecutors’ charges against Cunningham and Caulfield, as well as to charges of conspiracy to defraud federally insured financial institutions against a real estate investor now living in Atlanta, and mortgage broker Bozeman. Cunningham and Caulfield bought most of the properties that later became part of their scheme to defraud JCCEO from the Atlanta investor.
The FBI investigated the cases, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Robin Beardsley Mark is prosecuting.

Legendary journalist Ted Koppel takes stage with
Birmingham Times founder, Dr. Jesse J. Lewis Sr.
Sponsored by Alabama Power Company.

Congressional Black Caucus, An Evening of Excellence Presented by Essence and Southern Company in partnership with Google and Perennial Strategy Group salutes Dr. Jesse J. Lewis, Sr. with a Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Congresswoman Terri Sewell. Other Honorees included Sophia Manell with a Technology Innovation Award, Sherri Shepherd, Civil Advocate Award and Major Gernal Nadja West, Armed Forces Medical Advocate Award, held in Washington, D.C.

MONTGOMERY – Jefferson County Commissioner George Bowman was recently elected to the board of directors of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama, a statewide association representing Alabama’s county governments.
“We are excited about Commissioner Bowman’s leadership abilities and his dedication to strengthening county government in Alabama, and we believe he will continue to be an excellent member of the Association’s board of directors,” said ACCA President Debbie Wood. “County government in Alabama is undergoing tremendous changes, and our board members must provide the leadership necessary to help our counties face these changes on the local level.”
In addition, Commissioner Sandra Little Brown has been re-elected to serve as a member of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama’s Legislative Committee.
The Association’s Legislative Committee is composed of a chairman, the Association’s past presidents still serving in county government and a representative from each of ACCA’s 12 districts. The Legislative Committee works to formulate the Association’s legislative agenda for the upcoming year.
Bowman and Brown represent ACCA’s District 5, which includes Jefferson County.
“Counties are a creation of the state, which means they can only do what the state authorizes them to do,” said ACCA Executive Director Sonny Brasfield. “Counties have an incredibly close working relationship with the Legislature for this reason, and serving on this committee is a huge responsibility.”
The Association of County Commissions of Alabama is a statewide organization representing county government in Alabama. ACCA promotes improved county government services in Alabama, offers educational programs for county officials and their staff members, administers insurance programs for county governments and employees, offers legal advice, and represents the interests of county government before state and federal organizations and agencies. The activities of the Association are governed by a board of directors composed of three officers, past presidents and representatives elected from 12 Alabama districts.

City Council Briefs During the Birmingham City Council Meeting on Tuesday, September 24, 2013, Council:

1. Placed on consent an Ordinance “to further amend the grants fund budget” by appropriating $325,000.00 to Municipal Court – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) Grant per award received, which is year one (1) of a three (3) year grant. For more information, contact the office of Councilor Steven Hoyt at 254.2304.

2. Placed on consent an Ordinance “to further amend the grants fund budget” by appropriating $275,816.00 to Police – 2013 Justice Assistance Grant awarded per Resolution No. 1264-13. For more information, contact the office of Councilor Steven Hoyt at 254.2304.

3. Placed on consent a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement for preliminary engineering for and on behalf of the City with the State of Alabama Department of Transportation for Project No. ACAA58363-ATRP Widening Cotton Avenue from 10th Street to Lomb Avenue.

4. Placed on consent a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement for preliminary engineering for and on behalf of the City with the State of Alabama Department of Transportation for Project No. IM-I459(308), I-459 Pavement Rehabilitation from CR-143 (Grants Mill Road) to SR-7(US-11).

5. Approved a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with Convention Innovations, LLC for a term of one (1) year and in an amount not to exceed $104,000.00, in which Convention Innovations shall create a central sports brand image and marketing strategy (making use of mobile marketing) for the City of Birmingham CrossPlex to increase the quantity of regional, national and international sports events (amateur and professional) held in the CrossPlex, and to increase regional, national and international awareness of the Birmingham CrossPlex as a first-class, high-quality, cost-effective and efficient facility that is matchless for conducting and viewing athletic and entertainment events. For more information, contact the office of Councilor Steven Hoyt at 254.2304.

6. Referred to Budget and Finance a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with Edwin M. Moyo, M.D., a certified doctor of medicine (Physician) licensed to practice medicine in the State of Alabama by The Alabama Board of Medical Examiners, under which Dr. Moyo will provide medical evaluations and treatment of inmates incarcerated in the Birmingham City Jail, said agreement for medical services shall be for a term of one (1) year and the City shall pay Dr. Moyo an amount not to exceed $100,000.00. For more information, contact the office of Councilor Steven Hoyt at 254.2304.

7. Referred to Budget and Finance a Resolution approving an agreement with Birmingham Construction Industry Authority, Birmingham, in an amount not to exceed $200,000.00, renewable annually subject to funds availability for a term not to exceed five (5) years, to coordinate and work with City departments to identify and help overcome the underutilization of Minority and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (MBE/DBE) in Birmingham’s economic growth and authorizing the Mayor to execute the agreement on behalf of the City.

8. Placed on consent a Resolution awarding a contract to Walker Patton Company, Inc., Birmingham, in an amount up to $3,100,748.78, to complete the pedestrian access improvements for the Jones Valley Complete Streets Project.

9. Approved an Ordinance to amend Title 12, “Licensing and Regulation,” Chapter 10, “Intoxicating Liquors,” of the General Code of the City of Birmingham, 1980, to add a new article for the creation of entertainment districts pursuant to Alabama Act No. 2012-438. For more information, contact the office of Councilor Johnathan Austin at 254.2678. 

10. Approved an Ordinance amending Title 2, “General Government,” Article A, “General Provisions,” Section 2-3-1, “City departments and offices” of the General Code of the City of Birmingham, 1980, to change the name of the Department of Personnel to Human Resources. 

Announcements and Reminders:

1. The Planning and Zoning Committee met today, September 24, 2013, 4:00 p.m., 5th Floor Engineering Conference Room.

2. The Administration Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, September 25, 2013, 2:00 p.m.,Conference Rooms D & E.

3. The City of Birmingham Emergency Management Communication District will reconvene on Wednesday, September 25, 2013, 3:00 p.m., in the Birmingham City Council Chamber.

4. The Committee of the Whole is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, September 25, 2013, 4:00 p.m., Conference Rooms D & E.

5. The Transportation and Communications Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, October 2, 2013, 12:30 p.m., Conference D.

6. The Joint Public Safety and Technology Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, October 2, 2013, 2:00 p.m., Council Chambers.

7. The national award winning Party with a Purpose returns to Ensley Park on Saturday, October 5, 2013, 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Presented by Birmingham City Councilor Steven Hoyt, the 7th Annual Party with a Purpose is a family festival that features a job fair and health fair. “I am proud of this collaborative effort with the city, law enforcement, community and business leaders who have all come together in an attempt to combat crime, poverty and health issues that affect our community. This is another opportunity to reach out and serve,” said Councilor Steven Hoyt. For more information, call 254.2363. 
 For more information, log onto www.birminghamalcitycouncil.org 
 Are you unable to attend the Birmingham City Council meetings? Watch Council Meetings on demand. From anywhere in the world you can log on to www.birminghamalcitycouncil.org and click on the tab Watch Council Meetings; or from the comfort of your home, tune to Bright House Cable Channel 244. The Birmingham City Council meetings are free and on demand. 
The City of Birmingham will make reasonable accommodations to ensure that people with disabilities have equal opportunity to enjoy all city services, programs and activities. If accommodations are required for public meetings, please contact John Long, Senior Public Information Officer, with reasonable advance notice by emailing John.Long@birminghamal.gov, or by calling 205-254-2036.

Appellate Court ruling allows case to move forward

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal judge denied a motion by the Birmingham Police Department to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) challenging the use of pepper spray on Birmingham schoolchildren – a ruling that allows the case to move forward.
“We are pleased with the court’s decision to deny the city’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit,” said Ebony Howard, SPLC staff attorney and juvenile justice policy specialist. “We stand behind the merits of this case and believe the students will prevail in court. The Birmingham Police Department continues to put children’s lives at risk by subjecting them to pepper spray. Our lawsuit challenges this harmful practice and demands humane treatment for all children in Birmingham schools.”
A copy of the court ruling can be viewed at: http://sp.lc/bhmM3ce.
The ruling comes just a week after more than 50 students were doused with pepper spray at Jackson-Olin High School as police reportedly responded to a fight between students.
The SPLC filed a federal class action lawsuit in 2010 on behalf of current and future students in the city’s public school system. The lawsuit alleges that the Birmingham Police Department violated the constitutional rights of students through an abusive policy that allowed officers stationed in the schools to use chemical weapons against students to enforce basic school discipline.

The Southern Poverty Law Center, based in Alabama with offices in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi, is a nonprofit civil rights organization dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry, and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of society. For more information, see www.splcenter.org.