Special to the News

Published: May 9, 2008

Special to the News

MONTGOMERY - Attorney General Troy King announced Thursday the convictions and removal from office of Roanoke Mayor Henry V. “Spec” Bonner for a violation of the Alabama Competitive Bid Law and a violation of the Alabama Ethics Act.

Pursuant to a negotiated plea agreement, Bonner was convicted of both crimes. He received sentences of 12 months, which were suspended with the imposition of two years of probation, and was ordered to pay restitution to the City of Roanoke in the amount of $3,774.39.

A Randolph County grand jury indicted Bonner in January of this year for bid law and ethics violations arising from a site preparation and grading project performed at the city’s industrial park, and from the manner in which the city of Roanoke was procuring gasoline for city vehicles.

The Attorney General’s investigation revealed that the City was purchasing gasoline from Handley Distributing Company pursuant to a practice established under a prior administration. Bonner is the president of Handley Distributing and has an ownership interest in the company. As the current mayor, he was responsible for insuring that the purchase arrangement was appropriately re-bid under the Competitive Bid Law.

The investigation further revealed that Bonner had authorized the issuance of a check for $220,000 as payment for grading work done at the city’s industrial park and that a portion of those funds indirectly went to Bonner’s Company as payment for fuel used during the project.

Under the terms of the plea, Bonner will immediately resign from office and refrain from running for any public office during the term of his probation. He will also reimburse the city for $3,774.39 representing the profit his company made from the City and the industrial park work. The crimes to which Bonner pleaded guilty are misdemeanors.

Attorney General Troy King said, “The terms of the competitive bid law are clear. Elected officials are responsible for ensuring that the agencies under their supervision comply with its mandate. While this is believed to be one of the first successful criminal bid law prosecutions in the state, it will likely not be the last. I urge all public officials who have charge over public funds to ensure that they comply with the competitive bid law. My office is committed to safeguarding the public’s funds and will vigorously pursue any willful violation of the law.”