A former Birmingham building inspector was convicted Thursday for accepting payment in exchange for approving a building inspection.
Thomas Edward Stoves, 53, was found guilty in Jefferson County of violating the state ethics law by using his public position for person gain, said Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall.
The trial began earlier this week before Jefferson County Circuit Judge Michael Streety.
Stoves was employed by the City of Birmingham’s Planning, Engineering and Permits office when he was initially arrested on Aug. 31, 2020, following an investigation by the FBI and and the AG’s Office.
Authorities said he solicited and accepted a payment of $1,200 in exchange for approving a building inspection in 2016. The bribe was reportedly caught on video.
The jury heard testimony that Stoves accepted cash in exchange for approving a building inspection of a local adult entertainment club, Marshall said. The head of the Birmingham Department of Planning, Engineering, and Permits testified at trial that accepting cash for performing official duties is neither acceptable behavior nor permitted by the City of Birmingham.
Stoves was immediately placed on leave following his arrest and no longer is employed by the city.
“Fighting public corruption is a matter of the highest importance because of the violence it can inflict on our system of government—eroding public trust and, in this case, endangering public safety,” Marshall said. “It is reprehensible and inexcusable that Thomas Stoves, a city official charged with the duty of ensuring buildings were free from danger, would choose to trade public safety for private gain.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant Chief Deputy Attorney General Clark Morris and Assistant Attorneys General Nathan Mays, Kyle Beckman, and Alana Cammack of Marshall’s Special Prosecutions Division. FBI Special Agent Michael Faulkner led the investigation.
“Public corruption remains a top priority for the FBI, and I applaud the work done by both the Alabama Attorney General’s Office and my agents to bring Stoves to the justice he deserves,” said FBI Birmingham Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr. “There is no acceptable level of corruption and anyone who engages in such can expect the same outcome.”
Stoves was represented by Michel Hanle of Jaffe, Hanle, Whisonant & Knight.
“Mr. Stoves is disappointed but respectful of the jury’s decision in his case,’’ Hanle said. “He is equally disappointed in Attorney General Steve Marshall’s decision to expend such significant manpower and resources on a case involving $1,200 while other cases go unprosecuted.”
No decision has been made on whether Stoves will appeal the jury verdict, Hanle said.
Stoves faces a possible sentence of between two and 20 years in prison. His sentencing is set before Streety on July 25.