A day after the Birmingham Water Works chairwoman was indicted on public corruption charges, Mayor Randall Woodfin said his office will work to help "bring to light any improper activities."

The mayor's statement issued early Thursday afternoon doesn't name Sherry Lewis. Lewis is charged with using her position for personal gain, or for the gain of a family member, and voting on matters in which she or her family members had financial interest

"There is no higher priority for my administration than creating transparency and ensuring high ethical standards in everything we do," Woodfin said in a statement. "As a former prosecutor, I know that the indictments damage public confidence and raise questions about the integrity of our institutions. My office will work with the city council and any other authority to help bring to light any improper activities, and we will respond appropriately to ensure that the public's best interests are protected as we move forward."

Former Arcadis VP Jerry Jones and Mt. Vernon Mayor Terry L. Williams - the owner of Global Solutions International LLC - are accused of aiding and abetting Lewis in committing her alleged crimes, with offering her money and other items for the purpose of corruptly influencing official action.



All three turned themselves in to the Jefferson County Jail on Wednesday.

Attorney General Steve Marshall issued a statement saying the charges come as a result of "corruption in the Birmingham Water Works and its independent engineer of record, Arcadis (formerly known as Malcolm Pirnie), as well as Arcadis subcontractor, Global Solutions International, Inc.

"The Jefferson County Special Grand Jury remains impaneled and the investigation is ongoing," Marshall said.

The Birmingham Water Works Board held a regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday morning. Lewis was in attendance.

Several members of the public who attended the meeting asked for Lewis to resign.

City officials have yet to confirm if Lewis can be legally removed from the board based on the indictment.

Birmingham Water Works spokesman Rick Jackson told reporters Thursday morning that general manager Mac Underwood is reviewing the charges against Lewis.

"This is a very unfortunate situation with the indictment of our chairwoman," he said. "You have to be mindful, though, that being accused of unlawful conduct doesn't make you guilty. We will let the legal process take its course."

Jackson said Water Works will focus on its customers. "Our focus is reaffirming our customers trust," he said.

Underwood issued a statement Wednesday afternoon stating the indictment of Lewis "is an unfortunate outcome of a lengthy investigation.

"I am sorry to learn of the indictment," Underwood said. "Incidentally, we must be mindful that being accused of unlawful conduct does not automatically make one guilty. However, we must let the legal process run its course."