Alabama State Rep. John Rogers (D) — who previously gained national attention over controversial remarks that he made about abortion — has been indicted on federal obstruction of justice, according to prosecutors.
Rogers was indicted by a federal grand jury on two counts of obstruction of justice in case that centers around an alleged scheme to defraud the Jefferson County Community Service Fund.
“A 25-count superseding indictment filed this week in United States District Court charges Varrie Johnson Kindall, 58, of Chelsea, with one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, 11 counts of wire fraud, 3 counts of mail fraud, 1 count of money laundering, and 4 tax related charges,” said a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice.
“Additionally, the superseding indictment charges John Rogers, 82, and Kindall with 2 counts of obstruction of justice,” the statement continued. “These charges arise from an investigation of wrongdoing in connection with the Jefferson County Community Service Fund. In June, former Representative Fred L. Plump, Jr. pleaded guilty to conspiring with Kindall and resigned from the Alabama House of Representatives.”
BREAKING: State Rep. John Rogers has been charged with Obstruction of Justice @WBRCnews pic.twitter.com/3h90QZBcrR
— Morgan Hightower (@mchightower) September 27, 2023
Rogers made highly controversial remarks on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives back in 2019 about abortion, saying: “Some kids are unwanted, so you kill them now or you kill them later.”
Rogers remarks came as the Republican-controlled chamber voted overwhelmingly — 74-3 — to outlaw nearly all abortion in the state.
“Some kids are unwanted, so you kill them now or you kill them later,” Rogers said. “You bring them in the world unwanted, unloved, you send them to the electric chair. So, you kill them now or you kill them later.”
“Some parents can’t handle a child with problems,” Rogers continued, according to a local media report. “It could be retarded. It might have no arms and no legs.”
Alabama State Rep. John Rogers (D) on abortion: “Some kids are unwanted, so you kill them now or you kill them later. You bring them in the world unwanted, unloved, you send them to the electric chair. So, you kill them now or you kill them later” pic.twitter.com/dxPg6X759h
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) May 1, 2019