According to court records, on Wednesday of last week, an Anniston city councilman pleaded not guilty to ethics charges. Benjamin Little was indicted back in January of using his office for personal gain and illegal voting. Those court records do not contain the allegations against Little, however the Anniston Star reported those charges could possibly be related to the councilman voting against nuisance abatements for property he owned and property owned by a church where he was a pastor.
Little denied the charges, contending that he did not view his votes as violating ethics laws.
The councilman faces up to 20 years in prison, a $30,000 fine and his removal from office if convicted of the charges.
(AL.COM/www.al.com)