Coca-Cola Bottling Company United is expanding its distribution operation into Montgomery with a $35 million dollar capital investment. The company recently purchased an 850,000 square-foot facility on Westport Boulevard where it will carry out sales, distribution and service of Coke products in Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, Dothan, Evergreen and West Point, Georgia. Sales Center Manager for Montgomery Coca-Cola Bottling Company Don Densmore says 37 new jobs were also added to the 247 existing jobs. Extensive renovations have begun at the facility which are expected to be complete May of next year. Anyone looking for employment opportunities at the bottling company should visit cocacolaunited.com/careers for details.
Reagan Resigns
State Attorney General Luther Strange says Deputy Attorney General Sonny Reagan resigned his position after the attorney general sought to fire him over issues stemming from the government corruption investigation in Lee County. Strange sent a letter to his staff saying Reagan formed relationships with people who had an interest in undermining the investigation that ultimately led to House Speaker Mike Hubbard's indictment. Strange said Reagan was using lawyers who were representing two defendants in the probe. The letter says the attorney general decided to terminate Reagan based of breaching his duty to the state, failing to safeguard confidences of the office, and violating colleagues' trust. Reagan worked for the state for 15 years and served as the attorney general's top lawyer on gambling cases. He resigned Dec. 2nd.
Leonard Sentencing Delayed
A Lee County judge is again delaying the sentencing of a Montgomery man convicted of killing two one-time Auburn University football players and a third man. Judge Jacob Walker issued an order Friday saying Desmonte Leonard will now be sentenced on Jan. 20th. Defense attorneys cited a scheduling conflict in asking for postponement. Jurors convicted Leonard of capital murder in the shooting deaths of former Auburn football players Ed Christian and Ladarious Phillips along with DeMario Pitts. The three were slain during a party at an apartment complex near campus. The jury recommended life without parole for Leonard, but the judge could still sentence him to death.