FBI Launches Corruption Probe on Bingo in Alabama

In a move that shocked leaders of the House of Representative and Senate, US attorneys and FBI agents required a meeting to inform them that a probe with a focus on bingo had begun and their cooperation was requested. Lawmakers pledged their cooperation and were advised to come forward with anything out of the ordinary relating to the bingo vote.

House Majority leader Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, was quoted as saying "they scared the crap out of me." Rep. John Rogers, D-Birmingham, met with members of the legislative black caucus and told them to be extremely careful about discussing contributions with bingo in the same breath. He continued to say "I don't know what all is happening around here, but you get the feeling all hell is about to break loose".

The FBI and prosecutors from the Department of Justice's Public Integrity Section met for 30 minutes in what is being called a 'summit' with Speaker of the House Seth Hammett, D-Andalusia, and House Majority Leader Ken Guin, D-Carbon Hill, and other member of the state legislature. Senate Majority Leader Zeb Little, D-Cullman said they were informed of an ongoing investigation regarding public corruption.

The meeting occurred one day after the senate approved a bill which would permit the citizens of Alabama to vote on the issues of casinos and e-bingo.

Five Senate Democrats issued a statement blaming Governor Riley for the investigation claiming that they believe it was his attempt to undercut the people's right to vote on the bingo issue. They feel the timing of the investigation and meeting was a timed attempt to intimidate those who would vote to allow such a vote The statement was issued by Little, Senate Pro Tempore Rodger Smitherman, D- Birmingham, Senate Rule Chairman Lowell Barron, D-Fyffe, Senator Hank Sanders, D-Selma, and Senator Roger Bedford, D-Russellville, who is the sponsor of the bingo legislation.

Riley's office issues a statement denying involvement in the investigation.

Doug Jones, a former U.S. attorney now in private practice in Birmingham called the meeting 'virtually unprecedented' and a break from standard FBI procedures. Jones represents members of the Alabama Democratic Caucus. Jones said leaders had been told they were being informed of the investigation as a courtesy.

Jay Walker, a spokesperson for Country Crossing bingo casino claimed that Leura Canary, a U.S. attorney in Montgomery and the wife of Bill Canary, a political ally of Bob Riley, used her influence to launch the investigation. Efforts to reach Canary were unsuccessful.

Sources

The Mobile Press Register

The Birmingham News