Posts Tagged ‘Computer Help for Kids’

Posted on July 2nd, 2009 by Kyle Whitmire

Katopodis trial exposes political favors among friends

Katopodis trial exposes political favors among friends

“Everybody they put on the stand knew what he was doing,” defense attorney Jim Parkman [...]

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Posted on July 1st, 2009 by Kyle Whitmire

Katopodis found guilty, jailed on spot

Assistant United States Attorney George Martin responds to the conviction of former Jefferson County Commissioner John Katopodis on 97 counts of mail fraud and wire fraud.

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Posted on July 1st, 2009 by Weekly Staff

Katopodis Found Guilty On All Counts

Katopodis Found Guilty On All Counts

Former Birmingham City Councilor and Jefferson County Commissioner John Katopodis was convicted today on federal fraud charges relating to his involvement with a local charity, Computer Help for Kids.

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Posted on June 26th, 2009 by Kyle Whitmire

Prosecution rests, Melva Langford and Jimmy Blake testify

Prosecution rests, Melva Langford and Jimmy Blake testify

Federal prosecutors concluded their case today against former Jefferson County Commissioner John Katopodis and the [...]

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Posted on June 26th, 2009 by Kyle Whitmire

Jefferson’s Most Wanted: Accounting for Political Corruption in Alabama

Jefferson’s Most Wanted:  Accounting for Political Corruption in Alabama

There’s a problem affecting our political culture here, and recent events have given us a [...]

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Posted on June 25th, 2009 by Kyle Whitmire

Katopodis middle man in Langford car deal

Katopodis middle man in Langford car deal

Katopodis acted as middle man in Langford car deal, tried to trade $4,000 Corvair for $350 guitar. Also, Council President Smitherman says she didn’t trust Katopodis.

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Posted on June 25th, 2009 by Kyle Whitmire

Katopodis charity paid political expenses

Katopodis charity paid political expenses

Computer Help for Kids paid for myriad political activities, including autodialers for candidates and a campaign manager for former Birmingham City Councilor Jimmy Blake. Collins takes stand.

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Posted on June 23rd, 2009 by Kyle Whitmire

Former directors: Katopodis alone kept charity finances

Former directors: Katopodis alone kept charity finances

Three former executive directors of Computer Help for Kids testified Tuesday afternoon that they were kept out of the loop with the charity’s finances and that the organization’s hierarchy was confusing.

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Posted on June 23rd, 2009 by Kyle Whitmire

Charity funds withdrawn at casinos, paid credit cards

Charity funds withdrawn at casinos, paid credit cards

While Jefferson County was paying more than $800,000 of taxpayers’ money to the non-profit Computer Help for Kids, those funds were being withdrawn at casino ATMs and being used to pay personal credit card debts, an official from Regions bank testified in U.S. District Court Tuesday. One check from Computer Help for Kids made out to “Hudson’s” for $4,800 bore the notation “TV Langford.”

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Posted on June 22nd, 2009 by Kyle Whitmire

Langford handled Katopodis charity checks

Langford handled Katopodis charity checks

While serving on the county commission, Larry Langford arranged for Computer Help for Kids to receive nearly $800,000 in county money and frequently had the checks delivered directly to him, a county administrator testified today in the trial of former County Commissioner John Katopodis.

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Posted on October 31st, 2008 by Madison Underwood

DOJ: Katopodis arrested, charged with 97 counts

DOJ: Katopodis arrested, charged with 97 counts

Federal prosecutors announced John Katopodis was arrested this morning in Boston, and charged with 97 counts of fraud related to a non-profit he founded with Richard M. Scrushy and Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford. \
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Posted on October 31st, 2008 by Kyle Whitmire

Feds indict Langford cohort Katopodis

Feds indict Langford cohort Katopodis

A federal grand jury has indicted John Katopodis on charges that he used a charity [...]

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Posted on March 26th, 2008 by Kyle Whitmire

Way down in the hole

Way down in the hole

Langford gets that sinking feeling
Last January, in the backyard of a Bush Hills home in [...]

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Posted on November 1st, 2007 by Kyle Whitmire

FBI probes Langford-linked charity

Non-profit resisted 2002 city audit
The FBI has subpoenaed from the city of Birmingham documents related [...]

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WEEKLY PICKS: do more now

Weekly Tweets

  • @blakebritton Patrick Cooper's twitter appears to be @PatCoop but he hasn't tweeted since June. #bham 1 day ago
  • Patrick Cooper is running for Mayor of Birmingham, has a three-point plan. Not "Let's Do Something." http://bit.ly/42EgLb 1 day ago
  • Story and Video: Smitherman terminates Langford chief of staff http://bit.ly/3VoUQS 1 day ago
  • Smitherman names Kevin Moore interim chief of staff. #bham 1 day ago
  • Presser over. 1 day ago
  • Says he's committed to the city. Ready to work hard, etc. Smitherman talking. Paepcke asks if any charges pressed against Bowie. No. #bham 1 day ago
  • But seriously folks, Mr. Moore last worked in Parks and Rec. He seems calm. Says this is a very important time for the city. #bham 1 day ago
  • He last worked in the Parks and Rec. dept, possibly under Leslie Knope. If you don't get it, google it. #bham 1 day ago
  • Moore has been associated with city hall in #bham for 14 years. Says there's a lot of work to be done. Going to work with budget and finance 1 day ago
  • Smitherman hopes to have proposals on how to fix the budget shortfall by Tuesday, says Moore is working through the weekend. #bham 1 day ago
  • Everyone is subject to review, smitherman says. #bham 1 day ago
  • Smitherman says she's been interviewing the Mayor's staff individually to find out who knew what about budget. #bham 1 day ago
  • More updates...

War on Dumb

The aftermath of Larry Langford 

The aftermath of Larry Langford 

Last week’s verdict established Larry Langford’s guilt, but it will be a long time before we’re done settling all his unanswered questions. 

Upon Further Review

Dear (New) Mayor, Let’s talk sports…

Dear (New) Mayor, Let’s talk sports…

Whoever emerges from the special election in December holding my city’s mantle of leadership inherits a sports scene that is in the direst of straits.

Column

The Ballad of Federal Gaol

The Ballad of Federal Gaol

A poem about an ex-mayor & a prisoner-to-be.

Film

Paranormal Activity yields big scares

Paranormal Activity yields big scares

Paranormal Activity builds scares out of shadows, loud noises and anticipation.

Small World Cartoons

Not My President

Not My President

When “your man” didn’t become President, what did you say?

Suburban Legends

Batdance

Batdance

Some thoughts on the end of society