From The Tribune staff reports
MONTGOMERY — A former Birmingham Building Inspector was found guilty of accepting a bribe to pass a building inspection of an adult entertainment club.
Stoves was arrested in August 2020 after a joint investigation between the Alabama Attorney General’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
During a trial that started on Monday, May 23, and ended on Thursday, May 26, the jury heard testimony that Stoves accepted cash in exchange for approving a building inspection. They also heard the head of the Birmingham Department of Planning, Engineering, and Permits testify that accepting cash for performing official duties is neither acceptable behavior nor permitted by the City of Birmingham.
“Fighting public corruption is a matter of the highest importance because of the violence it can inflict on our system of government—eroding public trust and, in this case, endangering public safety,” Attorney General Steve Marshall said. “It is reprehensible and inexcusable that Thomas Stoves, a city official charged with the duty of ensuring buildings were free from danger, would choose to trade public safety for private gain.”
Stoves faces a possible sentence of between two and 20 years imprisonment. His sentencing hearing is set for July 25 at 9 a.m. before Judge Michael Streety of the 10th Judicial Circuit of Alabama.
“Public corruption remains a top priority for the FBI, and I applaud the work done by both the Alabama Attorney General’s Office and my agents to bring Stoves to the justice he deserves,” FBI Birmingham Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr said. “There is no acceptable level of corruption, and anyone who engages in such can expect the same outcome.”