Sessions Could Be Witness In Oliver Robinson Bribery Trial

BIRMINGHAM, AL - United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions is listed among possible witnesses in the trial involving the alleged bribing of former state legislator Oliver Robinson of Birmingham by three Alabama businessmen.

The case focuses on an alleged conspiracy to bribe Robinson in an effort to limit the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to clean up a Superfund site near Tarrant, a largely African-American neighborhood in north Birmingham.

Sessions is listed among other members of Alabama's congressional delegation as potential witnesses. Sessions, at the time of the alleged bribery, represented Alabama in the U.S. Senate.

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The three men on trial are attorneys Joel Gilbert and Steven McKinney, partners at Balch Bingham law firm, and David Roberson, a Vice President at Drummond Company. They are all charged with conspiracy, bribery, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy.

U.S. Attorney Jay Town has described the case as people conspiring to pay for a politician, instead of potentially expensive environmental clean-up costs. Robinson has reached a plea deal with prosecutors to avoid what could have been a 100-year prison sentence. Robinson is cooperating with the prosecution and is expected to detail the bribery scheme in full.

This story is ongoing, as the trial began this week. It will be updated as more information becomes available.

Photo Credit: Michael Candelori/REX/Shutterstock

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