Two Indicted in Montgomery on Bribery Charges

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MONTGOMERY, AL—Leland J. “Sonny”McDowell, 57, of Grovetown, Georgia, and James E. Potts, 56, of Montgomery,Alabama, were arraigned June 15, 2012 on a four-count indictment allegingbribery in relation to a program receiving federal funds, announced U.S. AttorneyGeorge L. Beck, Jr.
James Potts was a State of AlabamaDepartment of Public Safety employee. His job with State of Alabama Departmentof Public Safety included helping the State of Alabama Department of HumanResources (DHR) solicit for bids on an Electronic Criminal History CheckSystem, otherwise known as a fingerprint system. Sonny McDowell worked forSouthern Detention Technologies, Inc., a fingerprint machine company. Theindictment alleges that on or about July 2, 2007, Sonny McDowell offered andPotts agreed to accept both a check valued in excess of $1,700 and $1.00 forevery fingerprint scan run that was related to DHR Electronic Criminal HistoryCheck System.
“Contracts with the state of Alabamashould be won fairly, not because of a bribe,” said U.S. Attorney Beck. “Whensomeone wins a contract because of a bribe, it corrupts the entire system. Myoffice will not stand by and let that happen in this district or in this state.We will continue to vigorously prosecute those who corrupt a fair contractbidding system.”
If convicted, the defendants face up to10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
An indictment merely alleges that crimeshave been committed, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guiltybeyond a reasonable doubt. This case is being investigated by the FederalBureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney W. BrentWoodall.