John Fisher Jr. and family
(From Facebook)
Facebook and LinkedIn pages indicate Fisher, 48, has an attractive wife and a young daughter, plus multiple business interests, but he still found time to get trapped in a meth-trafficking investigation. How's that for "family values"?
When have you ever heard of a white-collar professional, especially one who is well connected in right-wing political circles, getting nabbed in a meth-trafficking operation? I can't recall ever hearing of such a case. That's what could make the Fisher arrest an extraordinary story, even though we only have bits and pieces of information at the moment.
Agents with the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force found Fisher and Christopher Shane Rushing (age 42, also of Tuscaloosa) with two active "one-pot" meth labs. Agents also seized 369 grams of meth oil during the investigation, according to police.
Based on press reports, the exact charges against Fisher are unclear. An al.com report says Fisher was released from jail after posting a $250,000 bond, while Rushing remains in jail on a $250,000 bond.
At mugshots.com, the charges against Rushing are listed as follows:
Agency Bond Type Bond Amount Count Charge
(1) TCSO BONDSMAN/SECURED $250,000.00 1 TRAFFICKING METHAMPHETAMINE
(2) TCSO BONDSMAN/SECURED $500,000.00 1 UNLAWFUL MANUFACTURE OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
(3) TCSO BONDSMAN/SECURED $15,000.00 1 UNLAWFUL POSSESSION W/ INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE
The Web site does not appear to include information about charges against Fisher. The information above appears to conflict with that found at al.com. Mugshots.com shows Rushing facing three charges with a total bond of $765,000, which is more than twice the amount listed at al.com. Our understanding is that those arrested normally can be released by paying 10 percent of the total bond, which would be $76,500 in this case.
Does Fisher face the same charges and the same total bond amount. That is not clear at this point.
At the Tuscaloosa News, a police spokesperson said more arrests are expected in the case. That raises this question: How big a meth-trafficking operation is this and were other conservative legal/political figures involved?
Christopher Shane Rushing
According to his LinkedIn page, Fisher is owner and administrator of Adams Independent Living Home in Tuscaloosa. He has owned the Fisher Law Firm P.C., which is at 1609 Greensboro Avenue in Tuscaloosa, for 17 years. And he is host of the John Fisher Talk Show on WTBC (AM-1230). Before that, Fisher was an attorney with Rosen Harwood, one of the most prominent law firms in west Alabama.The Web site for John Fisher Law Firm says it focuses on personal injury, criminal defense, business law, family law and mediation, estate planning, and probate.
A report at Raw Story, by reporter David Ferguson, states that Fisher is active in Alabama's Tea Party movement. In 2010, Fisher ran for a seat in the state legislator and appeared at multiple Tea Party rallies with Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore. Fisher lost the primary election to Republican Bill Poole. Ferguson notes that Fisher's show claims it is known for "“Plain Talk, Easily Understood with NO Political Correctness.”
Is Fisher well connected in conservative circles? In addition to Bentley and Merrill, consider just a few prominent figures who appear on Fisher's Facebook friends list:
* Jessica Mederios Garrison -- lawyer, GOP operative, closely aligned with AG Luther Strange and U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer. (Palmer has spent a significant amount of cash for Garrison's consulting services. More on that in an upcoming post.)
* Lee Garrison -- Jessica's former husband and president of the Tuscaloosa City School Board
* Cliff Sims -- publisher of Yellowhammer News
* Leland Whaley -- right-wing talk host
* Matt Murphy -- right-wing talk host
* Chip Beeker -- Alabama Public Service Commission
* Gary Palmer -- member of U.S. House of Representatives
* Brandon Falls -- district attorney, Jefferson County
* Cam Parsons -- attorney for real-estate magnate Stan Pate
* Allen May -- veterinarian and director at Paul Bryant Jr.'s Greene Group
Where is this meth-trafficking investigation headed, and who else might be arrested? Stay turned. It could get extremely interesting.