Alabama State Rep. John Rogers has survived numerous political challenges — and multiple investigations — during his four decades in the legislature.

Now, the 82-year-old Democrat is charged in a federal kickback scheme that already took down one state lawmaker. A federal grand jury in Birmingham this week charged Rogers with obstruction of justice and obstruction of justice by bribery. He will be arraigned in federal court in downtown Birmingham on Oct. 12.

If convicted, he could face serious prison time, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Birmingham.

Rogers was first elected to the State House in 1982. Federal prosecutors in their most recent indictment say that from 2019 to 2023 he was involved in a scheme to funnel public money from the Jefferson County Community Service Fund through a nonprofit youth baseball organization and then to his longtime assistant for personal spending. The indictment also says Rogers attempted to bribe someone to lie to federal investigators in exchange for receiving public funding for the person’s nonprofit organization.

In an interview with AL.com on Wednesday evening, Rogers said he is innocent and looks forward to his day in court.

“I wouldn’t do anything that crazy,” he said. “I wouldn’t do anything that stupid. This is going to be a royal affair. I’ll enjoy kicking their ass.”

Read more: Inside the Birmingham kickback scheme that took down a legislator

Rogers said he was not involved in any conspiracy. He also said he was unaware of any illegal activity regarding state grand funds until he was confronted by federal officials. He said that any assertion that he was part of the scheme is lie.

“I know I haven’t done anything wrong and I’m confident I’ll be proven innocent,” Rogers told AL.com. “Anybody that lies on me, get ready on being perjured. I’m ready to do battle. I’m ready to fight that fight.”

Rogers is known for his bombastic, quotable comments and colorful clothing just as he is for his longevity in public office.

He used to serve as chairman of several House committees when Democrats dominated the legislature. He has also served as chairman of the Jefferson County legislative delegation.

Rogers has been on the federal radar for scrutiny for most of his legislative career.

In 1989, a federal grand jury indicted him on charges of taking $5,000 from a coal miners union in exchange for support for legislation. A jury found him not guilty at trial.

Then in 2009, a federal prosecutor said in court that Rogers avoided criminal prosecution for another ethics crime because the statute of limitations had expired.

And in 2010, the FBI seized computers from Rogers’ office, but nothing ever came of it.

On Wednesday Rogers told AL.com that he is ready to defend himself in court again.

“I’m looking forward to the fight,” he said. “It’s almost funny.”

The veteran lawmaker over the years has captured headlines for his comments inside and outside the State Capital.

Legislatively, Rogers was a longtime champion of building a multipurpose domed stadium in Birmingham and offered several bills and financing options to pay for it. Ultimately, the dome never occurred, but the current Protective Stadium was built with a similar purpose on land set aside for the dome.

Rogers also favored gaming as a source of revenue for the city. The Birmingham Race Course is located on John Rogers Drive.

In 2019, he received backlash during a debate over abortion when he said Republicans were against abortion but refused to support children and said they could either “kill them now or kill them later.”

Later, he doubled down on his comments when rebuked by Donald Trump Jr. Rogers at the time said that the son of the former president should have also been aborted.

“His mother should’ve aborted him when he was born or he wouldn’t have made that stupid comment, right?” Rogers told reporters at the time.

Professionally, Rogers held several positions at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He was an ardent supporter of the university, not shy of criticizing those who were against the school having its own on-campus stadium.

In 2011 he led the call to separate UAB and UAH from the University of Alabama System, alleging trustees and supporters of the Tuscaloosa campus conspired to stymie the Birmingham campus.

Moments after learning about his most recent indictment, Rogers called the charges more of the same scrutiny he’s escaped in the past.

“They’ve been trying to get me for 35 years,” he told AL.com. “I’m too vocal, I’m too strong and I’ve always been fighting the fight.”

Read more here: