Rep. John Rogers, the Alabama House’s longest-serving member, steps down following federal charges guilty plea

The longest-serving member of the Alabama House of Representatives, John Rogers, resigned from the Legislature after pleading guilty to federal conspiracy and obstruction of justice charges related to a grant program. Rogers, a Democrat from Birmingham, was first elected in 1982 and agreed to resign as part of a plea deal with prosecutors. He would have been ineligible to continue serving with a felony conviction on his record. Federal prosecutors are recommending 14 months of home confinement and restitution as part of the plea deal.

The guilty plea follows former state Rep. Fred L. Plump, Jr. and Varrie Johnson Kindall pleading guilty to related charges. Between 2018 and 2022, Rogers directed $400,000 to a youth sports organization run by Plump. Plump gave approximately $200,000 of that money back to Rogers and Kindall. A special election will be held to fill Rogers’ House seat. Rogers is the third Alabama lawmaker to agree to plead guilty to a criminal charge during this four-year term, with Plump resigning last year and former state Rep. David Cole pleading guilty to a voter fraud charge.

Rogers will be sentenced on July 26, with federal prosecutors recommending 14 months of home confinement. He agreed to pay $197,950 in restitution as part of the plea deal. The charges relate to a kickback scheme that diverted money from a fund intended to pay for community projects in Jefferson County. Rogers submitted his resignation effective last Wednesday, confirming the charges against him. The plea deal was reached to avoid continued service with a felony conviction on his record.

Former state Rep. Fred L. Plump, Jr. and Varrie Johnson Kindall both pleaded guilty to related charges in the kickback scheme. Plump gave back money to Rogers and Kindall out of the $400,000 directed to his youth sports organization by Rogers. A special election will be held to fill Rogers’ House seat. Rogers is among the Alabama lawmakers who have agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges during the current four-year term, joining Plump and former state Rep. David Cole, who admitted to voter fraud.

Rogers, an 83-year-old Democrat from Birmingham, was the longest-serving member of the Alabama House of Representatives. He was first elected in 1982 and agreed to resign after pleading guilty to federal conspiracy and obstruction of justice charges related to a grant program. Federal prosecutors recommended 14 months of home confinement and restitution for Rogers. The charges come after former state Rep. Fred L. Plump, Jr. and Varrie Johnson Kindall pleaded guilty to related charges in the kickback scheme. Rogers will be sentenced on July 26.