The state grand jury investigating Birmingham Water Works Board and other aspects of Birmingham and Jefferson County government yielded three indictments Wednesday.

Attorney General Steve Marshall and the Birmingham Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced the arrests of Sherry Lewis, the chairwoman of the Birmingham Water Works’ board of directors, Jerry Jones, a former vice president at Arcadis, and Terry Williams, the owner of Global Solutions International, Inc., on felony state ethics charges.

Lewis, 55, Jones, 54, and Williams, 62, all surrendered Wednesday at the Jefferson County Jail.

“I want to thank the Birmingham Division of the FBI for partnering with my Special Prosecutions Division to investigate this matter,” Marshall said. “The citizens of this state expect honesty and integrity from public servants at all levels of government. As attorney general, a top priority is to ensure that any person who violates the public’s trust will be held accountable.”

Johnnie Sharp Jr., special agent in charge of the FBI’s Birmingham office, echoed that sentiment.

“Public corruption continues to be the FBI’s highest criminal priority because it erodes the public’s trust and rips at the fabric of democracy,” Sharp said. “If you know something about a corrupt public official, call us. Then rest assured that the FBI and our partners will act on your information.”

A press release said the attorney general’s Special Prosecutions Division partnered with agents in the FBI’s Birmingham office in an investigation into allegations of corruption in the Birmingham Water Works and its independent engineer of record, Arcadis, which was formerly known as Malcolm Pirnie, as well as Arcadis subcontractor Global Solutions International, Inc. The Jefferson County special grand jury remains empaneled and the investigation is ongoing.

Prosecutors presented evidence to the grand jury on Tuesday, Dec. 5, resulting in the indictments of Lewis, Jones and Williams. Specifically, the indictments charge violations of the Alabama Ethics Act:

Lewis was charged with:

• Using her office for the personal gain of herself, her family member, and the businesses with which she is associated.
• Voting on or participating in matters in which she or a family member had a financial interest.
• Soliciting or receiving anything for the purpose of corruptly influencing official action.

Jones was charged with:

• Aiding and abetting Lewis’ unlawful use of office to obtain personal gain for herself, her family member and the businesses with which she is associated.
• Aiding or abetting Lewis’ voting on or participating in matters in which she or a family member had a financial interest.
• Offering or providing anything for the purpose of corruptly influencing official action.

Williams was charged with:

• Aiding and abetting Lewis’ unlawful use of office for the personal gain of herself, her family member and the businesses with which she is associated.
• Aiding or abetting Lewis’ voting on or participating in matters in which she or a family member had a financial interest.
• Offering or providing anything for the purpose of corruptly influencing official action.

The release from the attorney general included a reminder that an indictment is merely an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

No further information about the investigation or the allegations against the three indicted was released.

If convicted, each of the defendants would face a maximum of 20 years in prison and fines of $30,000 for each of the three counts in the indictments.

The attorney general commended Deputy Attorney General Mike Duffy, Assistant Attorney General Peggy Rossmanith, investigators in the attorney general’s Special Prosecutions Division and FBI special agents in the Birmingham office.