Former Alabama state Sen. Lowell BarronFORT PAYNE, Ala. – Former powerhouse state Sen. Lowell Barron accused prosecutors of a witch hunt after he was indicted Tuesday on ethics and campaign law violations.
Barron, a Democrat who represented Northeast Alabama for 28 years, was charged with funneling $58,000 in campaign funds to campaign aide Rhonda Jill Johnson, along with a 2007 Toyota Camry.
State Attorney General Luther Strange said in a prepared statement that both Barron and Johnson were indicted by a DeKalb County grand jury on six counts of violating the state’s ethics law and the Fair Campaign Practices Act.
A special prosecution division presented evidence to the grand jury that issued the indictments on April 19.
Four days later, on the DeKalb County Courthouse steps and surrounded by about 20 family members and friends, Barron denied any wrongdoing. With a cane in hand and a neck brace after a November 2012 tractor accident, Barron also accused Strange of playing politics.