State Sen. Bedford Defends Funding For Nonprofit Agencies BIRMINGHAM, AL (APR - Alabama Public Radio ) - A state senator is defending the finances of nonprofit corporations that were created by legislators and have doled out hundreds of thousands of dollars without being audited as required.

State Sen. Roger Bedford said Tuesday an audit will show all the funding is being used for important projects without any overhead expenses.

The Russellville Democrat was responding to comments by Alabama's chief examiner, Ron Jones, who says the state will start auditing two nonprofit corporations created by Bedford and two other legislators by the end of the year.

The Birmingham News disclosed that the two nonprofits have received $800,000 in state coal severance tax funds since their creation in 2006. The funds have gone to the Marion County Community Development Association Inc. and the West Alabama Development Association of Fayette County Inc.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) © Copyright 2012, APR - Alabama Public Radio