Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin's Corruption and Misuse of Public Funds: The Book Deal Ledger

By Christopher M Peeks July 16, 2026

In the murky waters of Alabama political finance, the line between "necessary campaign expenditure" and personal gain is often blurred by creative accounting.

When a personal achievement—like a memoir—is funded by a candidate’s principal campaign committee, it raises serious questions under the Fair Campaign Practices Act (FCPA).

The Legal Framework

Woodfin book published from campaign funds

Under Alabama Code § 17-5-7, a candidate or principal campaign committee may only use campaign contributions for specific, defined purposes:

Necessary and ordinary expenditures of the campaign.

Expenditures reasonably related to performing the duties of the office held.

The statute is clear: if an expenditure does not serve the purpose of influencing an election or fulfilling official duties, it is a prohibited "personal use" of funds. The Alabama Ethics Commission applies the "but for" test to determine if an expense would exist regardless of a person’s status as a candidate or officeholder. If the expense would exist "but for" that status, it is a personal expense, not a campaign one.

The "Book" Problem

Campaign funds used to pay for Birmingham mayor Randall Woodfin's book

During the height of the campaign season, on April 10, 2025, the "Woodfin for Mayor" campaign committee approved an expenditure of $15,343.75. These funds were directed to "Diversion Publishing" for "Woodfin Son of Birmingham personal book publishing fees". This transaction converted campaign contributions for personal use, in direct violation of Alabama Code § 36-25-6, which stipulates that contributions to a candidate shall not be converted to personal use. Furthermore, because these funds crossed state lines to pay a publisher, this action may constitute a federal violation of mail or wire fraud under 18 U.S. Code § 1341 and § 1343.

More connections to Birmingham mayor Randall Woodfin

When a campaign committee funds the production, marketing, or purchase of a candidate's book, the burden of proof rests on the campaign to demonstrate how that book serves as a legitimate "ordinary expenditure." If a book is primarily a personal memoir or a vehicle for post-political career building—which seemed to be the plan, given its publication the day after the presidential inauguration—using campaign funds to cover these costs could constitute a clear violation of the FCPA. The law mandates that expenditures exceeding $100 in the aggregate must be itemized, identifying the recipient and the specific purpose of the expenditure.

Reporting Requirements: The Paper Trail

Alabama law requires strict transparency to prevent the conversion of campaign cash into private assets:

Itemization: Any expenditure over $100 must be reported with the recipient's name and a clear description of the purpose. Vague labels—like "consulting" or "office supplies"—when the money actually funded book printing, are a deceptive practice that hides the true nature of the expense.

Reporting Frequency: During the 12 months preceding an election, committees must file frequent reports. These documents are the public’s only tool to catch when campaign cash is being diverted to private interests.

Follow the money

Penalties: Under Section 17-5-19.1, the state can levy civil penalties for "materially inaccurate" reports. Repeated failure to categorize expenditures correctly can lead to escalating fines of 10%, 15%, or 20% of the improperly reported amount.

Monies paid by the candidates and committees

The Bottom Line

If Woodfin’s campaign diverted funds to subsidize a book, the public deserves to know the exact amount and how it was disclosed. Did the campaign categorize this expense as a "campaign communication," or did they attempt to bury it under a generic vendor label?

The Alabama Secretary of State’s office has the authority to investigate these discrepancies. As we continue to examine the financial footprint of Mayor Randall Woodfin and his inner circle—including officials like Ed Fields—a lingering question remains: are these funds truly being used to influence an election, or are they being used to build a political machine to turn Woodfin into a national brand on the taxpayer's dime?

Campaign expenditures

This is the fourth installment in our ongoing series investigating Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin's corruption and misuse of public funds.

Christopher M Peeks

Reporter and Columnist

Alabama Political Contributor

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin