Gilley testimony continues in federal corruption trial

Gilley testimony continues in federal corruption trial
DAVID GOODWIN Political Editor


Country Crossing developer Ronnie Gilley endured his fourth day of testimony Tuesday in the corruption trial of his nine former co-defendants, including former area lawmaker Jim Preuitt and VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor.

In his testimony, he named legislators who were offered large campaign donations and support in exchange for their votes on a 2010 bill to decide the legality of electronic bingo in a statewide vote. In a series of phone calls secretly recorded by the FBI, Gilley, McGregor, state Sen. Harri Anne Smith and others are heard discussing ways to convince members of the state Senate and House to vote in favor of the pro-gambling bill.

After former Elmore County lawmaker Preuitt voted in favor of the bill on March 30, 2010, Gilley congratulated him on the phone for “supporting democracy.” On other tapes, Gilley promised to “taper off” an opposition candidate in Preuitt’s district, which was centered in Talladega but extended south through Coosa and Elmore counties.

Gilley told Preuitt “we are rock-solid behind you,” which Gilley explained to Acting U.S. Attorney Louis Franklin meant that he and McGregor “were going to do whatever it took to get (Preuitt) reelected.”

During the lead-up to the Senate vote in March 2010, Gilley was recorded on the phone with defendant Jay Walker discussing purchasing trucks from Preuitt’s Talladega Ford dealership to further woo the state senator to vote their way.

“I’m going to look at a truck while there,” said Walker, a political operative who was planning to visit Preuitt in Talladega because Gilley was out of state. “I don’t need one, but I may buy one anyway.”

Gilley agreed.

“We’ve got to have his vote, if we need to buy a fleet of trucks from him, then buy a fleet of trucks,” he said.

Preuitt was never recorded discussing the truck purchase, though, and like McGregor, his only references to an alleged deal were vague.

Gilley said his main contributions to Preuitt would have to be in-kind or fundraising efforts.

In his cross-examination, McGowan noted the massive debt Gilley incurred through the construction of Country Crossing and his efforts over three years to push through electronic bingo legislation. Gilley admitted to being “personally broke,” and said he was more than $160 million in debt.

He offered Preuitt, former State Sen. Larry Means and others appearances by country music stars who were friends and associates, including Randy Owen of Alabama, Lorrie Morgan and others. Gilley’s “Democracy Tour” stops were used as an in-kind contribution in lieu of cash for campaigning lawmakers who voted for the gambling legislation.

Former State Sen. Wendell Mitchell, who represented Millbrook and western Elmore County, became very sick the week before the vote on “simple bingo” was due to be held. Gilley was recorded talking with a campaign manager trying to get Mitchell to the Legislature, even for a couple hours, so he could cast a vote in favor of SB380.

“If he can suck it up and make it up there,” Gilley said, “It’ll be the best damn day of work he’d ever do.”

In a taped phone call with Mitchell’s campaign manager Joe Perkins, Gilley added to the list of country stars with Alan Jackson, Reba McIntyre and Jamey Johnson among the talent available for the state senator’s reelection bid.

Gilley’s hand was slapped Monday after, in an offhand statement to Franklin, he revealed knowledge of previous activities in the court.

“I’ve been called a con artist in this courtroom, but right here I’m being conned,” he said.

After a quick objection by defense attorneys, the jury was excused so it could be determined how Gilley found out what was said in the courtroom, and from whom. He said two friends told him about McGregor attorney Joe Espy’s “con artist” comment from friends in Enterprise last week. Witnesses are not allowed to be present in the courtroom, and are instructed not to follow print, broadcast or online accounts of the proceedings.

McGowan also pointed out places where Gilley was in opposition to McGregor. Gilley said McGregor’s preferred bills set up a monopoly for VictoryLand, the Jefferson County Greyhound Park and other McGregor strongholds, preventing the expansion of electronic bingo to other places, such as Etowah County, which wanted to establish operations.

McGowan and Gilley read a profanity-laced phone conversation with a Mississippi casino operator in which Gilley recounted his “verbal blows” with the VictoryLand owner.

Gilley told casino operator Rick Carter how he stood up to McGregor on texts in SB 380 that he believed created a monopoly.

“I told him, you’re either going to get on board with us … or lay your ass on the sideline,” Gilley said while reading the transcript. “My life’s on the line here, and yours (McGregor’s) apparently ain’t.”

McGowan stated the reason McGregor didn’t attend a March 2010 meeting at Books-a-Million with Sen. Scott Beason and lobbyist Jarrad Massey was because “he was too ethical to join you in your criminal endeavor.”

Gilley disagreed with a chuckle.

Walker attorney Susan Walker expressed to Judge Thompson that she had recordings of phone calls Gilley made from jail that she planned to use to chip away at his credibility during cross examination. Franklin repeatedly pushed for James to express exactly what tapes she planned to use, so he could prepare.

That led James to repeat her desire for Walker to get a separate trial, which Thompson said he rejected months ago, and continued to agree. James said she “doesn’t play well with others,” and is frustrated having to telegraph her case simply to speed up the trial in light of the nine defendants.

Tuesday afternoon, James interrogated Gilley on the events that led to his bond being revoked after he offered a bribe to Massey and Walker to “keep the same story” and “continue the lie,” as Gilley described it. James said the offer to Walker was immediately relayed to her, which led to the revocation of Gilley’s bond.

After spending nearly four months in jail, Gilley began to cooperate with the government and changed his plea to guilty.

Gilley is still looking at up to 20 years in prison, with the government promising a “downward departure” from the sentencing guidelines for truthful testimony that helps the government’s case.


Former AG Baxley gives history lesson on country singers in Alabama politics
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Former Attorney General Bill Baxley brought laughs to Alabama's gambling corruption trial when he gave a history lesson about country entertainers helping with Alabama campaigns, including his own.

Baxley raised the topic Tuesday after Country Crossing casino developer Ronnie Gilley testified about offering country entertainers like Lorrie Morgan to appear at campaign events for state legislators in return for votes on pro-gambling legislation

Baxley, who's defending VictoryLand lobbyist Tom Coker, asked Gilley if he was aware that Morgan's father, country singer George Morgan, campaigned with George Wallace in one of his races for governor or that Hank Williams Jr. also helped in an Alabama campaign.

Gilley said no. Baxley said he knew because Williams assisted in his campaign for governor.

"And even with him I couldn't win," Baxley said.