Ala. casino owner's lawyer defends contributions

Ala. casino owner's lawyer defends contributions
By PHILLIP RAWLS

MONTGOMERY, Ala.

A casino lobbyist who pleaded guilty to bribery testified Thursday in Alabama's gambling corruption trial that political groups routinely ask candidates for their views on issues before contributing to them, but he said mixing votes with campaign contributions can be a slippery slope toward corruption.

Country Crossing lobbyist Jarrod Massey gave the testimony Thursday while being questioned by a defense lawyer for VictoryLand casino owner Milton McGregor.

Defense attorney Bobby Segall said he was trying to show jurors there was nothing unusual about a tape-recorded meeting in which McGregor told a state senator that support of pro-gambling legislation was the litmus test for getting significant campaign contributions.

McGregor's attorney asked Massey about the questionnaires that political groups often send to candidates before deciding whether to support them.

Massey said that's a normal part of politics. He also said it's routine for political organizations to contribute to candidates who share their views and for candidates to seek contributions from groups that agree with them on important issues.

The questioning stemmed from earlier testimony by state Sen. Scott Beason, R-Gardendale, about a recording he made of a Feb. 18, 2010, meeting at Massey's office a few blocks from the Statehouse. In that meeting, the senator and Massey were joined by McGregor and Country Crossing casino developer Ronnie Gilley.

The casino backers were seeking Beason's vote for a proposed constitutional amendment which, if approved by the Legislature and Alabama voters, would protect electronic bingo casinos from raids by state police.

The senator testified that he was offered campaign contributions and a public relations job if he supported their legislation.

In the recording of the meeting, McGregor, who was unaware that Beason was helping the FBI, said the casino owners planned significant campaign contributions for their friends.

"The litmus test for us is going to be who supports the people having a right to vote on the issue," he said at the meeting.

Massey testified that mixing votes and campaign contributions can lead to legal trouble.

"We're talking about an extremely slippery slope," he said.

Massey pleaded guilty to bribing legislators and agreed to testify for the prosecution.

David McKnight, a defense attorney for VictoryLand lobbyist Tom Coker, asked Massey if a lobbyist's job "is to advocate or sell a bill to the Legislature?"

Massey said McKnight used a good term because, "I did sell my bill to the Legislature."

The prosecution has made it clear it's illegal to trade a contribution for a vote.

On trial with McGregor and Coker are another VictoryLand lobbyist, four present and former senators, a spokesman for Country Crossing, and a former legislative employee.

During questioning Thursday, a defense attorney asked Massey if he had made statements that there are 20 more targets in the case.

"Yes ma'am," he told defense attorney Susan James.

Massey's answer mirrored earlier testimony by Gilley, who said expects to be testifying at more trials.

Defense attorneys attacked Massey's credibility Thursday and will continue Friday.

Under questioning by McKnight, Massey admitted he lied in the past on the gambling issue, including lying to Republican Sen. Jimmy Holley of Elba to get his vote for gambling legislation.

"Yes, I've had trouble telling the truth," he told McKnight.

But he said he is telling the truth in his testimony against McGregor, Coker and the other defendants because it's in his best interest to avoid a perjury charge.

McGregor's lawyer questioned Massey from Tuesday afternoon through midday Thursday and often referred to him as "Mr. Gilley." Segall said it was accidental. But U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson stopped Segall at one point Thursday and warned him the incorrect references were no longer humorous.

"I'm telling you now, don't do it again," the judge said.

A short while later, Segall did it again.

Segall threw his hands over his face and said, "I'm sorry. I apologize Mr. Massey."