Sen. Beason's comments continue to distract

The Crime and Corruption in the Alabama vote-buying trial continues to be obscured by Senator Beason's comments, making both sides appear morally bankrupt.


Rep. Oden comments on senator’s taped remarks
Staff, Wire Reports
The Cullman Times The Cullman Times
CULLMAN — MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A Republican state senator who tape-recorded gambling supporters for the FBI had uncomfortable moments in court while listening to his blunt criticism of his fellow Republicans and allegations of wrongdoing by them.

Sen. Scott Beason got the most attention for his tape-recorded comments labeling black customers at a west Alabama casino “aborigines.” But the tapes he made during nearly a year of undercover work also include him:

— accusing one GOP legislator of selling his vote cheap.

— criticizing Gov. Bob Riley for cracking down on Alabama’s privately run casinos to help Indian casinos.

— talking about wanting to see one of his fellow Republican senators defeated.

The GOP legislator Beason labeled as cheap is Jeremy Oden of Vinemont.

Contacted Saturday about Beason’s comment, Oden said he doesn’t know why the state senator called out his name.

“I don’t know why my name would be pulled out of the air like that. We do know each other and talk because we share part of a district in Blount County, mostly around the Cleveland area,” Oden said.

Oden said he and Beason and several others make up part of the local delegation for Blount County.

“When you have a district or part of a district you talk regularly to the county commissioners, other representatives and the senator about local issues. So we talk all the time,” Oden said. “I don’t know why that comment was made. He has never said anything to me along those lines.”

Oden’s district covers a large area of Cullman County, but also stretches into Blount and Morgan counties.

Beason said the first two comments were made up to keep conversations going with the suspects and did not reflect his true feelings.

“I was playing a role trying to help the federal government,” he said.

Oden said he has no plans to confront Beason about the comment at this time. Instead, he said he would continue to follow the story.

“As of now that’s all I’m doing.” Oden said.

* Read the complete story in the Sunday, June 19, 2011, edition of The Cullman Times.