ICYMI: ABC 'Nightline' features Alabama in Segment on Legislative Corruption

Lobbyists, Legislators Visit Grand Jury on Day One

Six of the estimated 60 or more legislators who have allegedly been summoned to testify before the grand jury about possible vote buying on a bingo bill made appearances at the federal courthouse in Montgomery Tuesday.

Lobbyist Tom Coker and media consultants Rick Heartsill and Bert Danner, all of whom count Victoryland casino owner Milton McGregor as a client also were asked to come to court to submit documents. Lobbyist for the Porch Creek Band of Indians, John Teague, also provided documents to the grand jury. They did not, however, testify before the federal grand jury.

State Sen. Trip Pittman, R-Montrose, who had the distinction of being the first lawmaker to go before the grand jury Tuesday said he was asked general questions about how the legislative process worked, particularly as it relates to lobbyists and political action committees.

He said he also was asked whether he was promised a campaign contribution, or political plum in exchange for an affirmative vote on a bill that would have legalized electronic bingo. "They seemed to want to see how steadfast my opposition was," he said. Pittman was one of the 13 votes against the bingo bill the day that it made it out of the Senate.

In addition to Pittman, Senators Ben Brooks, R-Mobile, Charles Bishop, R-Jasper, Phil Poole, D-Tuscaloosa, testifed on Tuesday. State Rep. Jim Barton, R-Mobile, also testifed. All of the men voted no in the Senate, or would have been no votes if the bill had reached the House floor.

State Rep. Mac Gipson, R-Prattville, was scheduled to testify Tuesday, but got bumped to Wednesday, because time had run out. He will join Speaker of the House Seth Hammett, who also is slated to testify also.

Gipson said he has no idea why he was subpoenaed. He is a member of the House Tourism and Travel Committee, which ultimately voted the Senate version of the bill out of committee on a voice vote, which positioned it to be voted on by the full House of Representatives.

Gipson and state Rep. Joe Faust, R-Fairhope, both voted against the bill in committee. State Rep. Barry Mask, R-Wetumpka, who also serves on that committee, has been subpoenaed to testify before the grand jury. Mask was absent from the committee on the day that vote was taken.

Though Gipson said he doesn’t think that federal prosecutors are on any kind of fishing expedition. He believes that they already have something concrete.¶

"I don’t think they would go through all this effort and spend all this time if they didn’t," he said. "If they are, the federal government is more inefficient than I thought."

For the full story check out Wednesday's Montgomery Advertiser.

-- posted by Markeshia Ricks

Two GOP senators support bingo bill

Republican state Sens. Jimmy Holley and Harri Anne Smith have said they support a bill that would allow a statewide vote on a constitutional amendment that would legalize and tax electronic bingo at destination points in the state, according to a report in the Dothan Eagle.

Holley and Smith could be very key votes in the fight over electronic bingo, which Gov. Bob Riley and many Republicans believe are slot machines that are illegal in Alabama. The Democrats would need 21 votes to stop a filibuster on the bill, which is expected, and to pass the legislation.

There are 21 Democrats in the Senate and 14 Republicans, but one of those Democrats typically votes with Republicans.

"The events of the past few weeks dictate and clearly point to the fact that a final resolution to electronic bingo's legality will require the people of Alabama to exercise their right to vote on the issue," Holley, R-Elba, said in a Wednesday release. "I will support a vote on a constitutional amendment on the bingo issue if the amendment provides for a strong oversight commission, taxes the machines in an amount that is fair to the people of Alabama, and brings closure to this sad chapter in Alabama's history."

Holley and Smith, R-Slocomb, represent areas where feelings are strong about the Country Crossing development, which recently shut down due to threats of a raid from Riley's Task Force on Illegal Gambling. Hundreds of people lost their jobs when the complex, which includes a bingo pavilion and restaurants, shut down.

The Senate Tourism and Marketing Committee approved the bill on Tuesday and a top senator has said the bill would come before the full body on Thursday or early next week.

Holley opposed a similar measure a year ago, according to the Dothan Eagle, because it created a monopoly for a few operators, and would take money from local charities.

The senator said the ongoing fight between Riley and Attorney General Troy King over the issue and the attempted raids at Country Crossing near Dothan and VictoryLand in Shorter contributed to his belief that a statewide vote is the best way to solve the conflict.

"I am still reviewing the legislation and will monitor any changes to the proposal. However, ultimately only a vote by Alabama's citizens will bring the issue to a conclusion," Holley said in the statement. "This is a great state whose citizens believe in democracy. If this legislation is placed on the ballot for a vote, then the final resolution would be in the hands of those who exercise their constitutional right to vote."

-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen