In the latest development in a continuing criminal investigation of Alabama’s system of two-year colleges, the former executive director of the Alabama Fire College has been charged with theft, criminal forfeiture, and mail and wire fraud relating to $1.6-million in state money, The Birmingam News reports.

The former official, William Langston, illegally used the college’s foundation to steal money to build a home and make payments to relatives for nonexistent jobs, according to a federal indictment unsealed today. He is also accused of using $100,000 from the college and from Shelton State Community College to help pay for a home for Shelton State’s president, Richard Rogers. The fire college provides training and certification for the state’s emergency personnel.

The indictment further describes the shady dealings of former State Rep. Bryant Melton Jr., who pleaded guilty last August to theft and money-laundering. Mr. Langston allegedly conspired with Mr. Melton to funnel cash through the college foundation and to obtain state money under the guise of providing scholarship checks to Mr. Melton’s daughter, according to the indictment. —Paul Fain