Longtime Ala. lawmaker sentenced to 13 months in prison for stealing tax dollars

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Former state representative John Rogers was sentenced to 13 months in prison and ordered to repay nearly $200,000 in stolen tax dollars.

Rogers apologized tearfully during the sentencing Tuesday, specifically to his family and the people of his district.

“I’m sorry about this whole escapade, it hurts me to no end,” Rogers told the judge.

Rogers represented Jefferson County in Alabama Legislature for more than 40 years. He was forced to resign after pleading guilty to conspiracy and obstruction of justice for his role in misappropriating Jefferson County tax dollars from the Jefferson County Community Service Fund, levied to support local students. Rogers pleaded guilty to helping secure funds for a local youth baseball organization in a kickback scheme. The founder of the league, Fred Plump, agreed to kick back half the proceeds to Rogers which totaled nearly $200,000 over the last four years.

The government argued Rogers should serve fourteen months in prison for his actions, noting he’s offered these funds and solicited kickbacks from three organizations. Assistant United States Attorney George Martin noted that when lawmakers were considering levying this tax, Rogers was concerned someone would steal from the fund.

“He had control of the funds, taking most for himself,” Martin said in court.

Chief Judge Scott Coogler said he was handing down a thirteen month custodial sentence because Rogers was more culpable than his codefendants, specifically Fred Plump, who was sentenced to a year and a day in prison and gave the funds he collected to the baseball organization.

“You’ve done some great things for the state, but you’ve also done this,” Coolger told Rogers.

Rogers said the best thing to come from this situation is reuniting with his daughters, who were estranged. Rogers attorney confirmed it was as a result of his relationship with rogers’ other codefendant, Varrie Johnson.

“His daughters didn’t approve, and who can blame them,” stated Rogers attorney, John Robbins.

Rogers must repay the money to the Jefferson County Community Service Fund along with nearly $200,000 in forfeiture. He reports to prison in early September.

BACKGROUND:

Court records indicate Rogers reached out to a youth baseball league organizer, Fred Plump, to apply for a grant from the Jefferson County Community Service Fund, which levied tax dollars to support local students. Rogers agreed to secure the grant money for Plump if Plump kicked back half to Rogers and his legislative liaison and romantic interest, Varrie Johnson. Over the course of four years, Plump received around $400,000 dollars from the fund. Rogers and Johnson around $200,000 from kickbacks. Last week Johnson was sentenced to 36 months in prison, Plump will serve 12 months in prison. Both were also ordered to repay the stolen funds.

“Rogers stole $200,000 to support himself and his lover. Rogers helped destroy Piper Davis and deprived other worthy charities to satiate his greed,” the government’s sentencing documents cited.

Rogers’ plea agreement required him to own up to his role in the conspiracy, which was spelled out in the court records that he signed. This involved admitting that he convinced Johnson to accept full responsibility for the kickback scheme and tell investigators that he was not involved. In exchange, he would pay her mortgage and take care of her children if she went to prison. Records indicate Johnson went along with the plan and told agents in May 2023 that Rogers did not know she received kickbacks from Plump, which they later determined not to be true.

Rogers’ defense attorney filed an objection to presentence investigative report, which is not public, stating, “Defendant does [sic] have any memory of making this promise. However, the defendant does acknowledge that said information is contained in the factual basis of his plea agreement and that he signed the factual basis and admitted in open court that the factual basis was substantially correct.”

The government says this filing and assertion is a breach of the plea agreement and should require Rogers to serve the 14-month sentence in prison.

Prior to pleading guilty, Rogers spent a week in jail for violating his bond conditions in this case. A judge determined Rogers attempted to intimidate a witness and was still living with his co-defendant Johnson and discussing their cases, which he was ordered not to do.

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