- Mayor Kenneth Nail of Hanceville, Alabama, resigned Tuesday and pleaded guilty to 15 misdemeanors.
- Nail, 60, was accused of using city employees and inmates for private work.
- “I am very sorry for the damage and inconvenience caused by this,” Hanceville wrote in an apology. “I never wanted to bring negativity to Hanceville. I love Hanceville and the people of Hanceville. I would never do anything to intentionally harm the city. Once again, I am very sorry.”
The mayor of a small Alabama town resigned and pleaded guilty to 15 misdemeanors for using city employees and inmates to perform private work for him while they were working or in custody.
Hanceville Mayor Kenneth Nail, 60, pleaded guilty Tuesday to using his office for personal gain, agreed to resign and publicly apologized.
“I am very sorry for the damage and inconvenience caused by this,” Hanceville wrote in his apology. “I never wanted to bring negativity to Hanceville. I love Hanceville and the people of Hanceville. I would never do anything to intentionally harm the city. Once again, I am very sorry.”
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Since 2008, Nail has been mayor of the city that is located between the cities of Birmingham and Huntsville and has a population of approximately 3,200.
Cullman County District Attorney Champ Crocker announced the multi-count indictment against Nail last month. The initial charges were felonies, but were reduced to misdemeanors in the plea agreement.
The mayor of Hanceville, Alabama, resigned and pleaded guilty to 15 misdemeanors.
The crimes occurred between Sept. 30, 2019, and Sept. 29, 2023, court records show.
According to the indictment, Nail routinely requested former Police Chief Bob Long to perform work at Nail’s home while the chief was on duty, and had another employee, Joshua Howell, drive to Georgia in a city vehicle while he was on duty. service to carry out work on a trailer owned by Nail and his wife.
Nail also used three former inmates to work in his home while they were in custody, the indictment alleges.
As part of the plea, Crocker said Nail was ordered to pay $4,000 in restitution, a $2,500 fine, perform 120 hours of community service and will be on probation for 15 years, which prohibits him from working for any public or government entity during parole, al. com reported.
“The trust between the people and their government must remain strong. Mr. Nail pleaded guilty, admitted his misconduct and also apologized to the citizens of Hanceville for his actions,” Crocker said. “I believe this swift resolution is balanced and shows thoughtfulness in admitting guilt and that elected officials who violate the public trust will be held accountable.”
Nail was represented by attorneys Michael Whisonant and Richard Jaffe, who said they were satisfied with the resolution of the case.
“Mayor Nail cares deeply about the citizens of Hanceville and has dedicated most of his adult life to serving the citizens of Cullman County,” according to a statement from the attorneys. “He also greatly appreciates all the people who have reached out to him and supported him during this difficult process, and is happy that this is behind him.”
