Alabama: Massey testifies

Alabama Casino Lobbyist Testifies Against Senator
By PHILLIP RAWLS Associated Press
Published: July 10, 2011

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) A casino lobbyist who admitted offering bribes to legislators testified Friday that an indicted state senator told two other legislators that the people behind Country Crossing casino could help them raise a great deal of campaign money if they supported the legally questionable project.

Lobbyist Jarrod Massey said state Sen. Harri Anne Smith of Slocomb helped organize the dinner at an upscale Montgomery restaurant on March 4, 2009, to try to get the support of two Republicans who traditionally opposed gambling legislation: Sen. Scott Beason of Gardendale and Rep. Benjamin Lewis of Dothan.

The dinner was attended by Ronnie Gilley, the developer of Country Crossing casino in Dothan, and others involved in the country music-themed attraction, including entertainer John Anderson. They were hoping to pick up votes for legislation designed to make sure electronic bingo casinos could operate in Alabama.

Massey said campaign donations and votes are not normally discussed together to avoid any questions about engaging in illegal vote selling, but Smith mentioned several times that Country Crossings' backers could help candidates.

"She acknowledged these guys can be helpful to you. They can raise a great deal of money," Massey testified.

Smith is among nine people on trial on charges accusing them of using campaign donations to buy and sell votes for pro-gambling legislation.

They were indicted in October because of a federal investigation that included Beason and Lewis recording conversations and phone calls for the FBI.

Massey and his boss, Gilley, have both pleaded guilty to conspiring to bribe legislators and are helping the prosecution. Massey has not yet been sentenced, but he volunteered to go to jail early because he expects a significant sentence.

He first appeared in court late Thursday afternoon in a red jailhouse jumpsuit, handcuffs and shackles. He returned Friday morning with a jailhouse jumpsuit but without any restraints. U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson told jurors that he ordered the restraints removed because Massey will be handling many documents in his testimony, which is expected to continue through Monday.

Massey testified Friday that indicted VictoryLand owner Mitlon McGregor worked with him and Gilley on passing the legislation, and McGregor's two indicted lobbyists, Tom Coker and Bob Geddie, coordinated the several lobbyists who were trying to pass the gambling bill.

The bill passed the Senate on March 30, 2010, but died in the House after the FBI revealed its investigation of Statehouse corruption.