Alabama: Ronnie Gilley expected to resume testimony

Ronnie Gilley expected to resume testimony
By Lance Griffin
Credit: Associated Press

Ronnie Gilley, owner of Alabama's largest casino, when he arrived at the federal courthouse in Montgomery Monday, Feb. 7, for his bond revocation hearing.

The defense in the gambling corruption trial is expected to resume cross examination of Country Crossing developer Ronnie Gilley Tuesday.

Attorneys for VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor and lobbyist Tom Coker questioned Gilley last week before Gilley’s lawyer said he was too sick to take the stand Wednesday morning. Court resumed with other witnesses, including FBI Special Agent John McEachern, who was facing cross examination when court ended Friday. Gilley is expected to resume testimony when attorneys conclude questioning McEachern.

Gilley’s lawyer, David Harrison of Geneva, declined to reveal specifics about Gilley’s illness, but said Gilley had been sick for some time before his testimony.

During direct examination by the government, Gilley said his Country Crossing development received more than $13 million from McGregor, but that $5 million had been set aside from McGregor to Gilley to use to help sway legislators to support electronic bingo legislation in the Alabama Legislature in the spring of 2010.

Gilley said he used the money in different ways with different legislators, including the promise of a “Democracy tour”, in which legislators who agreed to vote for the legislation would receive campaign appearances from country music stars.

During a series of questions from Coker attorney Bill Baxley, Gilley indicated that McGregor had backed out on a promise to pay for some of the Country Crossing construction costs, forcing Gilley to scramble for money. Gilley said on one occasion that the $5 million that was to be used for influence in Montgomery had been used for construction costs.

Jim Parkman, attorney for Sen. Harri Anne Smith., said he plans to question Gilley further about the $5 million from McGregor.