Fred Plump Sentenced in Kickback Scheme

Former Alabama lawmaker Fred Plump was sentenced to 12 months and a day in federal prison for his involvement in a kickback scheme that misappropriated state grant funds. Plump pleaded guilty to conspiracy and obstruction of justice, admitting to diverting approximately $200,000 from the $400,000 allocated to his youth baseball organization, Piper Davis, to former Rep. John Rogers’ assistant. While Plump did not personally profit from the funds, he was criticized for alerting co-defendants during the investigation. He was also ordered to pay nearly $200,000 in restitution. Rogers, a long-serving member of the Alabama Legislature, is set to be sentenced soon after pleading guilty to similar charges. The court acknowledged Plump's military service and community contributions but held him accountable for his illegal actions.