Coal Company Executive Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Bribing State Legislator

BIRMINGHAM – A coal company executive who was in a scheme to bribe a state legislator to use his office to oppose Environmental Protection Agency Actions in north Birmingham, received a federal prison sentence today of 30 months, announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town, FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp Jr. and Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Holloman.

District Judge Abdul Kallon sentenced David Lynn Roberson, 67, to 30 months in prison, $25,000 fine, and one year supervised release, for bribing former Alabama Rep. Oliver Robinson with a $375,000 contract paid to him through his non-profit Oliver Robinson Foundation over the past two years.  He will be on bond pending appeal.

Roberson was convicted on July 23, 2018 of bribery, honest services wire fraud, conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy. 

Robinson pleaded guilty in September 2017 to the conspiracy, bribery, wire fraud, and tax evasion.   

 “The investigation and prosecution into Roberson not only lead to his conviction, but a just and stiff sentence”, Town said.  “I am extremely proud of our agents, our prosecutors, and thankful for the dutiful work of the judge and jury.  The victims in this case have been given a voice and everyone, especially Roberson, has heard it with unmistakable clarity: the citizens of Alabama will not tolerate corruption and federal prison awaits those who dare test that resolve.”

“I hope the message is clear”, Sharp said.  “If you bribe a public official expect the FBI to investigate you, the U.S. Attorney to prosecute you, and you will answer for your crimes. Public corruption is the FBI’s top criminal priority for a reason and we will continue to root it out at every level.”

 The FBI and IRS investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorneys George Martin, Robin Beardsley Mark and John B. Ward prosecuted.