From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM –According to a statement from the Alabama Attorney General’s office on Wednesday evening, AG Steve Marshall and the Birmingham Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced the arrests of Sherry Lewis, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Birmingham Water Works, Jerry Jones, a former Vice President at Arcadis, and Terry Williams, the owner of Global Solutions International, Inc., on felony state ethics charges. Ms. Lewis, 55, Mr. Jones, 54, and Mr. Williams, 62, all surrendered at the Jefferson County Jail.
“The citizens of this state expect honesty and integrity from public servants at all levels of government,” Marshall said. “As Attorney General, a top priority is to ensure that any person who violates the public’s trust will be held accountable.”
Marshall’s Special Prosecutions Division partnered with agents in the FBI’s Birmingham Division in an investigation into allegations of corruption in the Birmingham Water Works and its independent engineer of record, Arcadis (formerly known as Malcolm Pirnie), as well as Arcadis subcontractor, Global Solutions International, Inc., the statement said.
According to Marshall, the grand jury remains empaneled and the investigation is ongoing. Prosecutors presented evidence to the grand jury on Tuesday, December 5, resulting in the indictments* of Lewis, Jones, and Williams.
Lewis’s charges include, Count 1, violating the state ethics law by intentionally using her office to obtain personal gain for herself, her family member, and the businesses with which she is associated; Count 2, violating the state ethics law by voting on or participating in matters in which she or a family member had a financial interest of gain; and Count 3, violating the state ethics law by soliciting or receiving anything for the purpose of corruptly influencing official action.
Jones was charged with Count 1, violating the state ethics law by aiding and abetting Lewis’s unlawful use of office to obtain personal gain for herself, her family member, and the businesses with which she is associated; Count 2 charges Jones with violating the state ethics law by aiding or abetting Lewis’s voting on or participating in matters in which she or a family member had a financial interest of gain; and Count 3 charges Jerry Jones with violating the state ethics law by offering or providing anything for the purpose of corruptly influencing official action.
Williams’ charges include; Count 1, violating the state ethics law by aiding and abetting Sherry Lewis’s unlawful use of office to obtain personal gain for herself, her family member, and the businesses with which she is associated; Count 2, violating the state ethics law by aiding or abetting Lewis’s voting on or participating in matters in which she or a family member had a financial interest of gain; and Count 3, violating the state ethics law by offering or providing anything for the purpose of corruptly influencing official action.
“I certainly appreciate the partnership of the Alabama Attorney General’s Office in this case,” Johnnie Sharp Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Birmingham Division of the FBI said. “Public corruption continues to be the FBI’s highest criminal priority because it erodes the public’s trust and rips at the fabric of democracy. If you know something about a corrupt public official, call us. Then rest assured that the FBI and our partners will act on your information.”