Alabama: Crime and Corruption and Government for Sale

Alabama candidates for governor spar over gambling


MONTGOMERY — Democrat Ron Sparks says his opponent for governor, Republican Robert Bentley, is not telling the truth when he says he hasn't received campaign contributions from gambling interests.

But Bentley says he doesn't consider the donations cited by Sparks to be gambling money.

"I have never solicited or received contributions from the gaming industry," he said Wednesday.

At a news conference earlier in Montgomery, Sparks said Bentley needs to come clean about contributions he has received from a political action committee that got gambling donations and about his support from Tuscaloosa businessman Paul Bryant Jr., who has long been involved with dog tracks.

"If he won't tell the truth as a candidate, why would you think he will tell the truth as governor?" Sparks said.

Gambling has been a growing issue in all Alabama races since 11 people, including two casino owners and four state senators, were arrested Oct. 4 on charges accusing them of buying and selling votes on pro-gambling legislation. Three of those senators are seeking re-election Nov. 2.

Sparks acknowledges he has received gambling donations through political action committees because of his platform of expanding, taxing and regulating gambling. He says it's impossible to tell how much because the money flowed through a variety of PACs, but he says that's not the point.

"It's not about the amount. It's about telling the truth," he said.

On Bentley's last campaign finance report, he reported receiving $5,000 in August from Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour's Haley's PAC, which is run by Barbour's nephew. Haley's PAC has reported receiving more than $733,000 this year, with $5,000 coming from each of two casino operators, the Chickasaw Nation and Harrah's Entertainment, and another $5,000 from International Gaming Technology, which makes games for casinos.

Sparks maintains that Barbour and Harrah's, which has four casinos in Mississippi, don't want casinos in Alabama that will compete with Mississippi's and that's why they are embracing Bentley's anti-gambling platform.

Bentley said the donation is the result of party affiliation and shared views on issues, including opposing the federal health care plan.

"Governor Haley Barbour is a Republican governor who supports other Republican governors and contributed to my campaign," Bentley said.

Bentley also reported receiving $20,000 in May from Bryant, who once operated Greenetrack in Greene County and an Iowa dog track before shifting his racing operation to Texas.

Bentley, a retired dermatologist, said he considers Bryant a friend and has treated him and his family as patients. "Paul Bryant Jr. is currently no longer invested in Greenetrack. He has contributed to my campaign as a friend in the primary election," Bentley said.

Bentley has twice used a plane belonging to one of Byrant's companies to fly to campaign appearances across the state. But he said his campaign finance reports make it clear he paid $3,750 for one trip and $3,150 for the other.

The Republican nominee noted that in December 2009, he received a $10,000 donation from Greenetrack, but returned it upon learning the source. Bryant had not been involved in Greenetrack for many years when the donation was made.