A Democratic lawmaker from Alabama now finds himself in legal trouble.
According to WSFA-TV in Montgomery, state Rep. Kelvin Jamichael Lawrence was arrested Tuesday. The report says the 50-year-old Democrat is charged with two felonies: second-degree falsification of documents and second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument.
Lawrence’s indictment alleges that he “with intent to defraud, falsified, supplemented or altered a builder’s license,” according to the Alabama attorney general’s office.
According to WPMI-TV in Mobile, both charges are Class C felonies, meaning the lawmaker could face a total of 20 years in prison.
Additionally, under state law, any elected official convicted of a felony is automatically removed from office, WSFA reports.
Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter released a statement in response to Lawrence’s arrest.
“I expect members of the Alabama House of Representatives to hold themselves to the highest standards of integrity in their personal and professional lives,” the Republican said, according to WSFA. “The indictment of Rep. Kelvin Lawrence presents an unfortunate situation for his constituents and colleagues.”
“I have full confidence in the ability of our justice system to assess the facts of this case and determine an appropriate course of action,” Ledbetter added.
Lawrence declined to comment when asked by AL.com, but said he would make a public statement soon.
The indictment, which has not yet been made public, charges state Rep. Kelvin Jamichael Lawrence with using a forged, completed or altered builder’s license with the intent to defraud. No other details have been released.
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