Alabama: Fake Commenters Used, "bingo-bots"

Just as we've witnessed in Masschusetts, FAKE POSTERS were employed in the vote buying scheme in Alabama:


Gilley also detailed how he hired Atlanta-area marketing executive Jeff Rubin to create fake commenters on website to make electronic bingo seem more popular.

Users of many Alabama-based websites dubbed the ever-present pro-gambling voices “bingo-bots.”



Massey takes stand in shackles
David Goodwin

One-time gambling lobbyist Jarrod Massey presented a much different picture on the witness stand than his one-time boss.

Country Crossing developer Ronnie Gilley pleaded guilty and testified against his former co-defendants in gray suits and ties.

But Massey, the lobbyist Gilley used as a go-between with lawmakers, took the stand in the maroon jumpsuit of an inmate after he elected to begin his jail sentence in January.

U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson told bailiffs to remove the shackles from Massey’s wrists Thursday afternoon, since he’d be handling transcripts and other documents during his testimony.

The government said it expected to present around 30 tapes during Massey’s testimony, with the disgraced lobbyist authenticating the calls, detailing their context and identifying voices and names mentioned.

Gilley, Massey and lobbyist Jennifer Pouncy all pleaded guilty to corruption and conspiracy charges and agreed to testify for the government.

Friday, Massey gave his account of the meeting with State Sen. Scott Beason, Gilley and VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor.

McGregor, former senators Larry Means and Jim Preuitt, current Sen. Quentin Ross and Harri Anne Smith, lobbyists Tom Coker and Bob Geddie and legislative analyst Ray Crosby are all on trial in federal court for the alleged vote-buying scheme.

Massey was intimately involved in the alleged plot to bribe Alabama lawmakers and buy their votes on legislation to declare a statewide referendum on the legality of electronic bingo.

Massey was recorded offering up to $1 million to Beason in exchange for his vote on the bingo bill.

Massey followed Gilley on the witness stand.

Gilley was grilled by prosecutors and defense attorneys for six days as he described efforts to pass the bill so his “life-savings” investment in the Dothan-area entertainment and gambling destination would not go to waste.

Gilley also detailed how he hired Atlanta-area marketing executive Jeff Rubin to create fake commenters on website to make electronic bingo seem more popular.

Users of many Alabama-based websites dubbed the ever-present pro-gambling voices “bingo-bots.”

The Country Crossing developer spent a total of six days on the witness stand.

Gilley was granted a five-day break when the judge said he became ill and dehydrated last week.

Defense attorneys spent much of this week pointing out inconsistencies in Gilley’s timeline of events and assailing his honesty in an effort to undermine the testimony.