From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
MONTGOMERY — State representative Randy Davis, of Daphne, has been charged with public corruption involving diabetes clinics, according to the Department of Justice. In April, Representative Jack Williams of Vestavia Hills was charged with corruption during an investigation of bribery regarding the clinics.
Related story: State rep from Vestavia Hills, former Alabama GOP boss charged with public corruption
Lobbyist Martin J. “Marty” Connors of Alabaster was also charged in April along with G. Ford Gilbert, who is CEO of Trina Health, a California company that operates diabetes clinics. The DOJ alleges that Gilbert bribed legislators to get Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama to cover treatments by the clinics.
“In 2014 and 2015, Trina Health opened three clinics in Alabama,” the DOJ states. “Soon thereafter, the state’s largest health insurer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama (a.k.a. Blue Cross), informed Trina Health that it would not cover the treatments provided by them. Gilbert then schemed to force Blue Cross to change its position.”
“He came up with a plan to push a bill through the Alabama Legislature’s 2016 session that would require Blue Cross to cover the treatments. Gilbert then made payments to State of Alabama House Majority Leader Micky Hammon in exchange for his efforts on behalf of the bill.”
According to the DOJ, the defendants in the case could face up to 10 years in prison, as well as monetary penalties, forfeiture of assets and restitution.