FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 11, 2020
For media inquiries only, contact:
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Attorney General Steve Marshall Announces Arrest of City of Birmingham Building Inspector for Felony Ethics Law Violation
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Steve Marshall announced the arrest of Thomas Edward Stoves, a building inspector for the City of Birmingham, for violating State ethics law by using his public position for personal gain. Stoves surrendered to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office on August 10, 2020. He was subsequently released on bond.
Stoves, 51, of Bessemer, is employed in the City of Birmingham’s Planning, Engineering and Permits office.
Attorney General Marshall’s Special Prosecutions Division obtained a warrant for Stove’s arrest on August 10, 2020.*
The charge is for Stoves’ solicitation and acceptance of a $1,200.00 payment in exchange for the approval of a building inspection in August 2016.
No further information about the investigation or Stoves’ alleged crime can be released at this time.
Attorney General Marshall expressed his appreciation for assistance provided by the Birmingham office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation during the investigation of Stoves.
The use of office for personal gain is a class B felony, punishable by two-to-20-years imprisonment.
*An arrest warrant is merely an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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