The longest-serving member of the Alabama House resigns after pleading guilty to federal charges

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — The longest-serving member of the Alabama House of Representatives, has resigned from the Legislature after pleading guilty to federal conspiracy and obstruction of justice charges. John Rogers submitted his resignation letter effective March 13 and also pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice. He will be sentenced on July 26.  Rogers, a Democrat from Birmingham, was first elected to the Alabama Legislature in 1982. Rogers is the third Alabama lawmaker to  plead guilty to a criminal charge during this four-year term.