A coal company executive who was in a scheme to bribe a state legislator to use his office to oppose Environmental Protection Agency Actions in north Birmingham, received a federal prison sentence Wednesday to 30 months, officials announced.
District Judge Abdul Kallon sentenced David Lynn Roberson, 67, to 30 months in prison, $25,000 fine, and one year supervised release, for bribing former Alabama Rep. Oliver Robinson with a $375,000 contract paid to him through his non-profit Oliver Robinson Foundation over the past two years. He will be on bond pending appeal.
Roberson was convicted on July 23 of bribery, honest services wire fraud, conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.
Robinson plead guilty in September 2017 to the conspiracy, bribery, wire fraud, and tax evasion.
“The investigation and prosecution into Roberson not only lead to his conviction but a just and stiff sentence”, U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town said. “The victims in this case have been given a voice and everyone, especially Roberson, has heard it with unmistakable clarity: the citizens of Alabama will not tolerate corruption and federal prison awaits those who dare test that resolve.”
“I hope the message is clear”, Sharp said. “If you bribe a public official expect the FBI to investigate you, the U.S. Attorney to prosecute you, and you will answer for your crimes. Public corruption is the FBI’s top criminal priority for a reason and we will continue to root it out at every level.”