Hezekiah Jackson Suspended By National NAACP

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Birmingham's NAACP chapter president Hezekiah Jackson has been suspended by the organization pending a hearing on whether he misled African-American residents regarding getting soil tested for toxic material.

In a statement to Alabama Media Group Wednesday, the NAACP said, ""On September 7, 2018, NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson issued a letter to Mr. Hezekiah Jackson, President of the Metro Birmingham Branch, notifying Mr. Jackson that his membership in the NAACP and his leadership of the Branch were being immediately suspended pending a hearing into allegations (1) that he advised homeowners not to have their soil tested by the EPA for potentially deadly toxins, and (2) that he accepted cash payments for engaging in this activity," the organization said in a statement. "Mr. Jackson was directed to immediately cease holding himself out as a member of the Association and as President of the Branch."

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Testimony and evidence implicating Jackson was revealed during the recent trial of Balch & Bingham attorney Joel Gilbert and Drummond Company VP Dave Roberson, both of whom were convicted on six criminal charges: bribery, conspiracy, money laundering and three counts of honest services wire fraud.
In sworn testimony, former State Representative Oliver Robinson, who pleaded guilty to charges related to accepting bribes to prevent citizens from getting their soil tested, and his daughter, Amanda Robinson, said they paid Jackson in cash to help them fulfill their task.

Jackson was informed of his ouster on Wednesday in a letter from the national office in Baltimore.

Photo via NAACP