Larry Langford, the mayor of Birmingham, Alabama, has been arrested and charged with a 101-count indictment by the federal government for conspiracy, bribery, fraud, money laundering, and filing false tax returns in connection with a long-running bribery scheme.

Langford along with investment banker William Blount and Langford’s good ole buddy Al LaPierre are the ones charged.

“Former Commission President Langford owed a duty of loyalty to Jefferson County in the administration of the county’s financial affairs. He sold out his public office to his friends Blount and LaPierre for about $235,000 in expensive clothes, Rolex watches and cash to pay his growing personal debt. All the while, Blount was paid fees topping $7 million,” said U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin. “Through a web of financing agreements, Langford required many institutions to use Blount as a consultant so Blount would make fees and in turn payoff Langford. It was a classic pay to play scheme.”

According to the indictment, in June 2003, Blount, Blount Parrish and LaPierre gave Langford cash and checks totalling $69,000. The money was intended to influence and reward Langford in connection with the bond transactions, the indictment said.

Langford is also facing a lawsuit from the SEC.  Langford has been in office just since last November.

Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama with a population of over 242,000 within the city and over 1 million in the metro area.