Rep. Jack Williams Denies Bribery Charges

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Rep. Jack Williams, who was arrested Monday by the FBI along with former Alabama Republican Party chairmen Marty Connors and Trina Healthcare CEO Ford Gilbert for their alleged involvement in a bribery case, issued a statement Tuesday denying any wrongdoing. Williams also said he will continue to run for a seat on the Jefferson County Commission.

The federal indictment charges all three defendants with conspiracy to commit bribery related to federal programs, conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, and honest services wire fraud. Williams and Connors appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles S. Coody on Monday afternoon, though neither entered a plea.

“I have done nothing wrong, and once the facts are presented, I expect to be found innocent by a jury of all the allegations outlined in Monday’s indictment," Williams said in a statement.

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Attorney Jake Watson, who is representing Williams, issued a statement asking that the case not be tried in the court of public opinion. "Mr. Williams absolutely denies any wrong doing of any sort and has full faith in the judicial process and looks forward to presenting his side of the story in the courtroom, rather than the media," he said. "The courtroom is the proper place to present evidence and testimony supporting his innocence."

Photo from Alabama House of Represenatives