‘I can’t hold nobody to blame but myself’: Former Ala. Rep sentenced to federal prison in kickback scheme

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Fred Plump, a former member of the Alabama House of Representatives was sentenced Friday to a year in federal prison for his role in a kickback scheme that he misappropriated Jefferson County tax dollars.

Plump pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and conspiracy for taking nearly $400,000 of grant money from the Jefferson County Community Action Fund for youth sports and kicked half back to former longtime lawmaker John Rogers and his romantic interest, Varrie Johnson. According to court records, Rogers approached Plump about the grant and Plump agreed to the kickback scheme. Johnson worked for Rogers, she facilitated the grant and cashed the checks that Plump kicked back to her.

Plump did not personally profit from the money, according to comments made during sentencing. It went to his youth baseball organization, Piper Davis, which has served more than 15,000 inner city children year-round over the last 30 years.

Plump tearfully shook his head, apologizing to the judge for his actions, sharing how shameful he was. His attorneys say getting involved in this crime and subsequently being unfaithful with his wife with one of the codefendants were the worst decisions of his life.

The kickback scheme was a stark departure from the man attorneys and character witnesses described through his 40-year decorated military career which included fighting in Vietnam and the Tet Offensive, decades of service as a fire medic in Jefferson County and founding Piper Davis to serve at-risk youth.

“I worked for the mayor and he saved hundreds of lives as a medic, he was known as the best they had,” stated Mike Miles, former Jefferson County Treasurer.

The government argued for the judge to hand down a custodial sentence, stating Plump agreed to cooperate with their investigation and instead of recording conversations with his codefendants, he alerted them, significantly impacting their investigation.

“The money coach diverted to Piper Davis, the fact that he didn’t personally benefit, went a long way towards the sentence we received,” stated Plump’s attorney, Richard Jaffe. “We feel relieved, the punishment for Fred for what he was facing was considerably more. Twice as much.”

Plump will report to prison in late August. He must repay nearly $200,000 dollars accepted from the JCCAF.

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