Montgomery Personnel Board Questions Mayor Reed’s Plan to Hire Convicted Felon, Postpones Salary Vote
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WAKA) — Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed’s controversial plan to hire a man convicted of defrauding former professional athletes and investors out of millions of dollars has been put on hold.
The Montgomery Personnel Board on Monday postponed a vote on whether to approve a $120,960 salary for Donald Watkins Jr., whom Reed plans to appoint as the city’s Director of Small Business Development. The board’s approval is required before the salary can be finalized.
At least one board member voiced strong opposition to the proposed hire.
“Starting a convicted felon at $120,960 not only sends the wrong message to the city,” board member James R. “Spud” Seale said. “It sends the wrong message to all the first responders and garbage collectors who’ve been asking for raises. I cannot vote for this. I just think it’s egregious and unfair.”
Board member Jacqueline Crawford said she shared Seale’s concerns but asked for more time before making a decision.
“I do not disagree with Spud, but at the same time I want to see if we could table this maybe for a couple days,” Crawford said. “I just need to give it some thought.”
As Action 8 News has reported, Watkins Jr. and his father, Donald Watkins Sr., were convicted in March 2019 of defrauding former NBA star Charles Barkley and other investors. Prosecutors said the two used the name of former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to lend credibility to an investment scheme.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the victims’ money was used to pay Watkins Sr.’s alimony, back taxes, personal loans, and to fund luxury expenses including a private jet and designer clothing purchased by Watkins Jr. and his wife. Watkins Sr. was convicted on seven counts of wire fraud, two counts of bank fraud and one count of conspiracy, while Watkins Jr. was found guilty of one count of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy.
If hired by the mayor, Watkins Jr. would be responsible for mobilizing financial resources and cultivating investment from banks, philanthropic organizations, and government agencies on behalf of the city.
Board member John L. Baker said he had also received calls expressing concern about the appointment.
“It is a high salary and there are some concerns,” Baker said. “I’ve been getting all kinds of calls about it and I have some concerns as well.”
Seale reiterated his opposition before the board agreed to delay the vote.
“The hiring is inappropriate given the circumstances and the salary,” Seale said. “Starting this gentleman out at this pay — I just think it’s unfair and it’s an injustice, in my opinion.”
Mayor Reed’s office did not respond to requests for comment.
The Personnel Board plans to vote on Watkins Jr.’s proposed salary at its next meeting on Nov. 10. A hearing regarding the city’s former 911 director, originally scheduled for Monday, was also postponed to a later date.
