Alabama Ethics Commission dismisses complaint against BWWB chair
Chairwoman Huffman alleges complaint was meant to distract during legislative battle
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - The Alabama Ethics Commission has dismissed an ethics complaint filed earlier this week against Birmingham Water Works Board (BWWB) Chairwoman Tereshia Q. Huffman. The complaint, filed Monday, alleged the BWWB, under Huffman’s leadership, gave funds to a couple of nonprofit organizations with ties to relatives of Huffman.
In a letter dated Friday, April 25, the Ethics Commission said, in part, “The complaint was reviewed by Director Albritton and legal staff. After a review of the information provided in the complaint, we have determined that there is no evidence on the face of the complaint that would constitute a violation of the Ethics Act. Because our jurisdiction is not invoked, we are closing our file in this matter.”
“I am a woman of faith who values her integrity above all else. When false accusations were filed with the Alabama Ethics Commission, those who know me, my work ethic and my character all knew that the truth would quickly be revealed. I would never damage my reputation or the reputation of the Birmingham Water Works in any way. As chair of the board, I have supported BWW’s ethics policies without hesitation.
I am grateful to the Alabama Ethics Commission for the very swift review of this matter and the determination that there was no violation of ethics laws. I am also grateful to my fellow board members, our staff, and all who support my efforts to lead with integrity,” Huffman said.
Huffman said on Friday she believes the complaint was timed to coincide with the start of hearings in Montgomery on a bill to overhaul the BWWB’s board membership.
“To have this complaint filed the same day we were scheduled to speak in Montgomery against legislation shows their motive and intent,” Huffman claimed. “It wasn’t about being right, it was an attempt to damage my reputation and discredit the work we’ve been able to do on this board. So, I’m so thankful the Ethics Commission responded as quickly as it did to shut this down, and get back to what’s really important, and that’s fighting this bill.”
SB 330 passed the full Senate Thursday, and now heads to the House for potential hearing and vote. Supporters of the plan to convert the BWWB into a seven-member regional board call the move long overdue, and say it will bring new professionalism and oversight to a utility with a recent history of billing errors and customer service challenges, as well as provide better representation for BWWB residential customers who don’t live in the City of Birmingham.
Huffman acknowledges the issues the water works has faced, but says the new management team and a series of recent organizational changes, including the creation of a Customer Care Advocate and Assistant GM of Customer Care are signs the utility has made positive changes, and believes the organization deserves time to see those through.
“Our customers and our employees will see us fight,” Huffman said. “I am a leader who fights until the end; I will not give up. And this board remains committed, as well as the leadership team and the employees. So, all we can do is hope this bill will not pass, and the legislature will give this board more opportunity and more time to do the work that we know we are capable of doing.”
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