GOP CANDIDATE JOHNSON URGES GOVERNOR TO RECUSE HIMSELF FROM JEFFERSON COUNTY NEGOTIATIONS
MONTGOMERY, Ala., SEPT. 28, 2009 – Gubernatorial candidate Bill Johnson urges Gov. Riley to recuse himself from serving as Jefferson County’s lead negotiator in the county's $3.2 billion sewer debt crisis.
"As a three-year member of the Governor’s cabinet and nearly seven-year state public servant as assistant director and director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), I know the high ethical standards required of Riley’s administration," explained Johnson. "From the beginning of his first term in office, the Governor has stressed he imposed the highest ethical standards in state history."
A number of articles, including one found at
http://www.bobrileyforgovernor.com/images/Riley_Report/rr5.pdf, quotes the Gov. as saying, "In every action we take, ask yourself: is this right for the people and will it build trust?"
It was announced in August of 2008 that the Governor would assume position of lead negotiator in the sewer scandal along with the law firm of Bradley Arant Rose & White (in which the Governor’s son-in-law is a partner) and another county attorney in dealing with the county’s creditors.
Following his takeover at the head negotiating table, the law firm of the Governor’s son, Rob Riley, received a contract with the county for over $725,000.
"Serving as lead negotiator for Jefferson County, through whom the law firms of both the Governor’s son and son-in-law are benefiting financially, does not build trust," Johnson said. "I have had a number of people ask me if this creates a conflict of interest. The world has their eyes on the increasing stench of the Jefferson County sewer crisis. In order to remove any perception that a conflict of interest may exist between the county’s lead negotiator—Gov. Riley—and the law firms representing both sides of the sewer crisis, I urge the Governor to build trust with the citizens of Alabama by recusing himself from these negotiations."
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