The Mayor of Birmingham was indicted recently on charges including allegations that he accepted improper gifts from lobbyists, according to this report.

The jewelry, clothing and money transactions described in last week’s federal indictment of Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford and two associates would be clear violations of the Alabama Ethics Law, according to Alabama Ethics Commission Director Jim Sumner.

“Seventy-five percent of that 101-count indictment could have been brought under the Alabama Ethics Law,” Sumner said in an interview.

However, there are no indications that state authorities are pursuing the allegations, even though ethics law violations would be easier to prove than bribery. The Ethics Commission is forbidden by state law from launching an investigation unless a formal complaint is filed, and then has only limited powers.