An Alabama lawmaker will remain in jail at least through the weekend after a judge ruled he violated bond conditions while awaiting trial on obstruction of justice charges.
A federal judge found Thursday that state Rep. John Rogers, Democrat of Birmingham, willfully violated the terms of his release, court records show. Rogers will remain in jail at least through the weekend.
The judge may allow the 82-year-old lawmaker, who is recovering from hip surgery, to be released next week to live under the care and supervision of his daughter, but court officials must first assess the situation, he said. the WBRC. The judge has scheduled a hearing for Monday.
ALABAMA REP. John Rogers is charged with obstructing a federal investigation
Rep. John Rogers has serious health problems and is undergoing physical therapy, officials say.
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Rogers was charged in September with attempting to obstruct a federal investigation into an alleged kickback scheme involving government grant money. He pleaded not guilty and was released on bail.
Federal prosecutors last month asked a judge to revoke Rogers’ bond. He was accused of making a Facetime call to a key witness in the case. A defense attorney disputed that charge. Defense attorney John C. Robbins argued in court documents that the call may have been made in error because Rogers has several people in his phone contacts with the same last name.
Robbins said Rodgers has serious health issues and must continue physical therapy to recover from surgery.
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Rogers is charged with two counts of obstruction of justice. His assistant, Varrie Johnson Kindall, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, money laundering, obstruction of justice and tax evasion. Both pleaded not guilty.
Rogers has served in the Alabama House of Representatives since 1982.
