Former Gov. Guy Hunt was spared prison time Friday and ordered to serve community service and repay $200,000 he was convicted of looting his inaugural fund.
Hunt had proclaimed his innocence on the eve of his sentencing and warned his enemies about the wrath of God.The Republican was ordered to serve 1,000 hours of community service and pay back the inaugural money. In addition, Montgomery Circuit Judge Randall Thomas fined Hunt $10,000. Hunt had faced a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Hunt told about 300 supporters at a candlelight vigil on the Capitol steps Thursday that he and three associates who are awaiting trial did nothing wrong.
Hunt, 59, was removed from office April 22 when he was convicted of using $200,000 from a 1987 inaugural fund for such personal items as furniture, cattle and a marble shower at his farm in north Alabama.
Gene McKenzie, Rosie Blocher and Edna Hicks were charged with aiding and abetting Hunt.
At the vigil, Hunt, a Primitive Baptist preacher, said Blocher and Hicks are widows and God keeps a special watch over widows.
"The wrath of God will fall on those who mistreat them," he said to applause and exclamations of "Amen."
Democratic Attorney General Jimmy Evans asked that Hunt be ordered to repay the $200,000.
Hunt's former press secretary, Terry Abbott, said Thursday Hunt would be "in significant danger in prison."
"He was the governor of the state and that presents all kind of dangers in a prison setting," Abbott said.
Prison officials said any inmates who fear for their safety can be isolated from the state's other 18,000 prisoners on request.
Hunt has appealed the conviction and hopes to be returned to office before his term ends in 1995. Jim Folsom, who was lieutenant governor, took over as governor when Hunt was removed.