May.30, 2010
BIRMINGHAM -- A federal appeals court has upheld the conviction of former state Sen. E.B. McClain of Midfield for money laundering, mail fraud, bribery and conspiracy.
U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance said the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected McClain's argument that there was insufficient evidence against him. The court also rejected his claim that he should have been tried separately from his co-defendant, the Rev. Samuel Pettagrue, who also was convicted.
McClain and Pettagrue were convicted in 2009 in a kickback scheme involving public funds McClain secured for Pettagrue's community programs. McClain was sentenced to five years and 10 months in jail. He has been free on bond while appealing his conviction. Pettagrue was sentenced to five years probation.