U.S. attorney who prosecuted ex-Alabama governor retires

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — U.S. Attorney Louis V. Franklin Sr., who prosecuted former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman on corruption charges, announced his retirement Friday after about 30 years of public service.

Franklin joined the U.S. attorney’s office for the Middle District of Alabama in 1990, then spent two years in private practice in the late ’90s before returning. He was confirmed as the first Black U.S. attorney in Montgomery in 2017 after being nominated by then-President Donald Trump.

Democratic President Joe Biden will name a successor.

Franklin led the team that prosecuted Siegelman and HealthSouth Corp. founder Richard Scrushy on bribery charges in 2006. Both men served time in federal prison.

“It has been an absolute privilege to spend my career in this office, serving the people of the Middle District and working alongside so many talented attorneys and staff,” Franklin said in a statement. “I know I am leaving the office in good hands, and I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to serve in my hometown and make our communities safer for the people of Alabama.”

Multiple other U.S. attorneys nationwide have retired in recent days, as is usual when the White House switches from one political party to another. Richard Moore, the U.S. Attorney based in Mobile, announced his retirement earlier in the week.