Jeff Germany

Jeff Germany represented District 1 in the Jefferson County Commission for three terms from 1990 to 2002.

In addition to representing his district, Germany was assigned to be Commissioner of Health and Human Services, overseeing the provision of county-funded indigent care through the Jefferson County Department of Health and Cooper Green Mercy Hospital. Jeff Germany Parkway, a small circular drive leading to the Cherry Hill Health Care Center off Cherry Avenue, is named in his honor.

While on the commission, Germany sent district funds to the Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity with instructions for JCCEO executive director Gail Cunningham to distribute most of the money to organizations he listed. These included MedHealth Management, the American Charities Foundation, and the East Thomas Baseball Association. Horace Miller, president of MedHealth, then assisted Germany in purchasing a Mercedes for his wife, Lois by contributing $17,000 for a down payment. American Charities, headed by Joseph Turnes, received 90% of the funding for its mission "to distribute funds to the community" from Germany's office (through JCCEO). Turnes then sent out checks as Germany directed, including payments to one of Germany's ex-girlfriends, to another personal friend, and to Horace Miller. The East Thomas Baseball Association (ETBA), headed by Germany's close friend Larry Combs, received funding through JCCEO and the county's parks division at Germany's direction. Combs transfered much of the money to his personal account and also gave large sums to Germany and to Clifton McElroy, a mutual friend from whom both had borrowed money. Over the span of time covered in the federal indictment, Germany approved a total of $479,990 in illegal disbursements. Other similar practices were documented outside the period covered in the indictment, and entered as evidence of a conspiracy to misdirect funds.

Germany was convicted on June 14, 2006 of four counts of federal program fraud and one count of conspiracy United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Robert Propst presiding. He was sentenced to 43 months in prison and ordered to forfeit $126,830 to the county. He was also required to spend two years in supervised release following his imprisonment.

Germany served his time at the Maxwell Air Force Base Prison Camp in Montgomery. He was released on September 1, 2009 after serving 33 months. In a statement made at his release, he pledged to work toward prison reform, "especially for first time non-violent offenders," and to counsel other former prisoners.

Preceded by: Reuben Davis

Jefferson County Commission District 1 1990 - 2002

Succeeded by: Larry Langford

References

• United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (October 20, 2008) "US vs. Jeff Germany appellate decision
• Kwon, Wade (August 25, 2009) "Birmingham;s Biggest Crooks: Jeff Germany." Wade on Birmingham
• Germany, Jeff (August 30, 2009) "Jeff Germany's Statement". News release
• Wright, Barnett (May 12, 2010) "Former Jefferson County Commissioner Jeff Germany helps group screen candidates." Birmingham News