Senator Claims He was Offered $250 Grand for 'Yes' Vote on the Bingo Bill

Alabama State Sen. Paul Sanford of Huntsville claims that lobbyist Jarrod Massey, whose clients include an electronic bingo casino, offered him a quarter of a million dollars last year for a "yes" vote on the bingo bill. And according to The Birmingham News, a second senator has come forward and stated that he was offered campaign contributions in exchange for a vote. Massey, however, denies that he's even had any conversations with the legislators concerning the subject.

While this is a shock to many Alabama residents, there had been rumors of corruption with the bingo bill. The Sand Mountain Reporter released a report from The Associated Press that quoted Gov. Bob Riley as stating the bill "was the most corrupt piece of legislature in the Senate" after the bill passed last week with 21 votes, the exact number of votes needed. There were 13 "no" votes. Only a day or so later, according to WAFF 48, the Federal Bureau of Investigation intervened. The FBI met with Senate leaders on April 1 to discuss the matter. There had been serious allegations of public corruption involving the bingo bill, the Senate leaders were told, and the FBI had substantial evidence of such.

Alabama is primarily a conservative state. While many types of gambling in the state are illegal, the subject of electronic bingo has been up in arms; some feel that electronic bingo doesn't fit the criteria for gambling and others feel that it does. Riley's stance is that all gambling in the state is illegal, including the machines. He even formed a task force whose primary focus was shutting down these gaming machine businesses. It's caused a lot of ruckus among the state's leaders as lawmakers have struggled to come up with a way around the illegal gambling law, knowing they couldn't pass a bill to make gambling legal. The bingo legislation they offered would allow for a public vote on Nov. 2 to make electronic bingo available in several locations throughout the state; locations to be determined by the legislature.

Those for the bill say what Riley has done with the task force is unethical and infringes on the rights of business owners. Sen. Robert Bedford stated that it was time to end the raids and unlawful searches by passing the electronic bingo bill. A court in Macon County seems to agree as they blocked a raid of a local electronic bingo casino. The task force is trying to get the order thrown out. The case is currently being reviewed by Judge Tom Young.

What does this all mean for Alabamians? If the investigation doesn't turn up anything and the bill continues to the House and then passes in a public vote, it could bring in much needed revenue to the state. But at what cost? Many Alabamian conservatives, who are also deeply religious, feel like gambling is morally and ethically wrong.

If the FBI turns up anything, it could stall the bill once again, and possibly land some lawmakers, lobbyists, and others related to the case in jail. With the bribery allegations, it certainly doesn't look very good for Alabama right now and the entire situation could affect how voters chose their next state leaders in the upcoming election.

Sources: http://www.casinogamblingweb.com/gambling-news/gambling-law/alabama_senate_takes_up_electronic_bingo_gambling_legislation_53938.html
http://www.sandmountainreporter.com/story.lasso?ewcd=fce9ff087cc53b40
http://www.waff.com/Global/story.asp?S=12247044
http://www.whnt.com/news/sns-ap-al--bingo-lobbyist,0,5805205.story