William B. Blount
William B. "Bill" Blount | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1953 |
| Occupation(s) | Investment banker, bond underwriter, politician |
| Known for | Chairmanship of the Alabama Democratic Party; federal bribery conviction and later pardon |
William B. "Bill" Blount (born 1953) is a professional investment banker and bond underwriter who previously chaired the Alabama Democratic Party. In 2009, he entered a guilty plea on federal charges of bribery and conspiracy, agreeing to cooperate with authorities in the case against former Birmingham, Alabama mayor Larry Langford. His legal defense was led by former Alabama Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General Bill Baxley. On January 24, 2017, the Alabama Pardons and Paroles Board granted Blount a full pardon.
Education
Blount earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama in 1975, where he held the position of President of the Student Government Association (SGA). He obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1978 and undertook further graduate studies in the United Kingdom. During his time at university, he was affiliated with Theta Nu Epsilon, a secret society that has since been prohibited due to its involvement in manipulating student elections.
Career
Prior to co-founding Blount Parrish & Co. in 1985, Blount spent six years as a partner at an investment banking firm based in Montgomery. Throughout his career, he facilitated hundreds of financings—both tax-exempt and taxable—for a range of clients including public utilities, hospitals, corporations, municipalities, and school boards. Moreover, he played a foundational role in establishing businesses across various sectors such as solid waste management, communications, publishing, and manufacturing.
From 1991 until 1995, he held the role of chairman for the Alabama Democratic Party.
2008 Federal Charges
In late 2007, both Blount and Mayor Langford were subpoenaed to provide testimony before the U.S. District Court in Miami, Florida, which they declined. Subsequently, on December 1, 2008, they were indicted on 101 counts related to "pay to play" activities involving personal financial gain from sewer bond transactions connected to Jefferson County.
The indictment stated that between 2003 and 2006, former Birmingham mayor Larry Langford received approximately $235,000 from Blount. Prosecutors further alleged that Blount purchased luxury goods for Langford—including watches from Tourneau and Rolex valued around $22,000—and clothing during visits to New York City, where bond deals with entities on Wall Street were negotiated. On August 18, 2009, Blount pled guilty to charges of conspiracy and bribery and consented to forfeit $1 million. He was sentenced on February 26, 2010, to four years and four months in federal prison and served 29 months before transitioning to probation in October 2012.
Blount was granted a full pardon by the Alabama Pardons and Paroles Board on January 24, 2017.