Montgomery, AL--On October 16, 2012, James Whitaker, 59, of Prattville, Alabama, pled guilty to one count of participating in an act which affected a personal financial interest, announced United States Attorney, George L. Beck, Jr.

            Whitaker was an employee of the Air Force Legal Operating Agency.  As an employee, Whitaker directed those attending courses held on Maxwell Air Force Base to stay at the Renaissance Hotel, in Montgomery, Alabama, instead of staying on Base or at other approved housing.  Whitaker arranged for the attendees to stay at the Renaissance, a Marriott Hotel, in order for Whitaker to personally receive Marriott Rewards Points.  From January 27, 2011, until June 23, 2011, Whitaker personally received 100,000 Marriott Rewards Points, which according to Marriott International has a value of $1,250.00.

Visitors can experience Alabama’s haunted history in October with ghost trails, story-telling festivals and ghost walks.

A variety of events and trails pay homage to the state’s ghostly history including a rare moonlit tour of the famous ghost town Old Cahawba where paranormal investigators will showcase their ghost hunting equipment. In Montgomery a mortician will take you on a tour of Oakwood Cemetery in a hearse. The Black Belt Ghost Trail showcases dozens of haunted sites that include homes, restaurants, cemeteries and Civil War sites.

The Alabama Tourism Department offers the following list of 13 ghostly events taking place this month across the state.
 

Athens
7th Annual “Historic Haunts Walk” — Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
 

This annual Historic Haunts Walk, held each Tuesday night in October, begins at the Athens Visitors Center and includes tales of paranormal activity at 13 local structures.

2nd Annual Zombie Walk and Prom, Saturday, October 22, 2011

Presented by Shumway Productions

Zombie Walk:

Location: 124 West Main Street, Prattville

Time: 7:30 PM

Dress: costume – zombie

Ages: all

What you should know – The Zombie Walk is a supply drive for PAHS. Participants are requested to bring one pet item/food to participate.

To follow………

Zombie Prom:

Location: Doster Memorial Community Center, 424 South Northington Street

Time: 8:00 PM

Dress: costume –zombie

Ages – 17 and older

Cost: $5.00 at the door