The next step is prosecution, right? As far as am I aware, criminals don't get to just cease committing crimes and walk away.

We've had a complete breakdown of law and order for anyone claiming to operate as part of an institution. And without post-facto punishment, there is no downside to joining in the rampant lawlessness.

More likely that they’ll claim qualified immunity as the reason they cannot be prosecuted.

An good outcome from excellent reporting. I hope that this resignation leads to reform in that city.

I am from Alabama. The only error this guy made is he was likely too high profile and got caught.

It is my understanding this is exactly the same sort of thing that goes on everywhere across the U.S., all the time. The little people are preyed upon by the fat cats. Anyone ever heard of Tyler, Texas? That place is infamous for its heavy policing and ticketing. Even as a little boy driving through there, I remember seeing the sides of the interstate loaded with shiny new police cars, ready to pull out after someone and get them.

Here in Alabama we have all sorts of illegal activity going on in the courts and police departments. I know one Sheriff department who are all the time setting up "DUI checkpoints" on major thoroughfares and small roads alike, without any public announcement whatsoever, which is illegal. There's also numerous court rooms with a "pay or stay" policy, which is likewise illegal as it is de facto establishment of a debtor's prison. I know a county jail where people are regularly taken into the elevator away from cameras and beaten. These people running the show are psychopathic parasites.

The municipalities throughout the land are known for speed traps being set up in various places. It's par for the course. Just raking in the loot. Everywhere you look, there are criminals in charge. I could go on and on for pages.

Likely this guy either victimized a powerful person, didn't pay his 10% to the Big Guy, or simply got too noticeable and they made an scapegoat out of him. Rest assured nothing will really change.

I wonder how this went so far without getting caught by a system of checks and balances. Feels like some are above the law.

My reading of the original AL.com reporting is that every person/role that was supposed to check and balance were in support of the scheme.

The mayor was behind the police chief 100%. The judge was rubber stamping the bogus citations. Even the mass of residents were unaffected by it, and seemed to tacitly support it.