Former Birmingham Mayor Violated Ethics Law: Commission

BIRMINGHAM, AL - The Alabama Ethics Commission said this week that former Birmingham Mayor William Bell violated a state ethics law while in office.

According to a report by Alabama Media Group, the commission hasn't disclosed the nature of the complaint or what evidence the body reviewed only that evidence exists to show that Bell committed a minor violation of the ethics law.

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However, Bell's attorney Joe Espy told Alabama Media Group that the violation stems from a meeting Bell had with his staff while Bell was running for re-election. That meeting, which was recorded, sparked an ethics complaint by local activist Iva Williams. The recording reveals Bell warned employees they could be out of a job if he wasn't re-elected.

"The political survival of my administration is at stake," Bell said on the recording. "And if you think that is just about William Bell, no it is about everyone in this room. It is about each of us in this room. Because I guarantee you while some may survive, the vast majority of you will not. OK. I'm not trying to put fear I'm just trying to tell you the realities of the situation."

However, Bell does not explicitly ask his staff members to campaign for him during the meeting. He is heard reminding his employees that they cannot actively campaign during work hours.

The commission has recommended the case be handled administratively and referred it to the Jefferson County District Attorney Office.

Photo by Michael Tomberlin/Alabama News Center

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