Former state legislator Spicer pleads guilty to bribery

Former state legislator Spicer pleads guilty to bribery
Written by Sebastian Kitchen


Former state Rep. Terry Spicer of Elba has agreed to plead guilty to one count of bribery after being accused of accepting cash, campaign services, tickets to entertainment and sports events, and a ski vacation in exchange for taking action as a state lawmaker.

A federal judge has set a plea hearing for Nov. 15.

Spicer has worked out a deal to plead guilty to having corrupt dealings with Country Crossing de- veloper Ronnie Gilley.

The developer said during a recent government corruption case that he gave Spicer a box of cash, and a Gilley lobbyist, Jarrod Massey, said he paid Spicer monthly amounts for years to help him obtain clients. Massey said Spicer also used his official position to help his clients.

Also, Massey said he helped Spicer purchase a boat and paid for his family to go skiing.

Massey and Gilley, who have both pleaded guilty in the federal corruption case tied to gambling legislation, made those comments during the corruption trial that ended in August.

Spicer, from 2004 to 2010 while a member of the Alabama House of Representatives, "did corruptly solicit, demand, accept, and agree to accept something of value intending to be influenced and rewarded in connection with the business, transaction, and series of transactions of such state government," according to a court document.

" ... The defendant agreed to accept cash, campaign services, and a ski vacation from Massey, in return for the use of the defendant's official position and influence with companies and organizations receiving state funding to obtain clients for Massey."

Spicer also, according to the court document, "agreed to accept campaign contributions and entertainment/concert tickets from Gilley, in return for the defendant's official assistance in favor of Gilley's business projects and interests."

"He came to my office and picked up a box of cash," Gilley said in court.
When asked by a prosecutor, Gilley said he reported it to the FBI.

Gilley, who said he hired Massey at the recommendation of Spicer, said Spicer had threatened to hurt the Country Crossing project in the Alabama House of Representatives if he wasn't paid $50,000.

Spicer, a Democrat, lost to Republican Barry Moore of Enterprise in the November election.

As of Sept. 15, according to an article in The Elba Clipper, Spicer remained superintendent of Elba City Schools, a job he took while he was in the Legislature.
Aubrey Williams, president of the school board, could not be reached Friday for comment on Spicer's employment status with the board.

Spicer did not return a message left on his home phone number Friday afternoon. Spicer told the Associated Press he did not have any comment.

David Belser, Spicer's defense attorney, did not return a message left Friday afternoon at his Montgomery law office.

Massey, who pleaded guilty to bribery charges and testified for the government, said in court that he helped Spicer purchase a $9,000 boat and gave him concert and football tickets.

Massey had earlier testified he paid Spicer up to $3,000 a month for referring potential clients to him.

Massey, who pleaded guilty for his role in the corruption case for activities unrelated to Spicer, previously said he paid Spicer about $3,000 a month in addition to "other things of value I gave to Mr. Spicer at that period of time."

"I compensated Mr. Spicer for his assistance in getting me contracts," Massey said in court.

He said the former Democratic legislator used political and personal connections to help him with contracts, including ones with the Elba Development Corp. and companies seeking to locate in the area.

Massey said Spicer also helped him successfully lobby for some other clients, including Auburn Montgomery.

Massey said the money was not for campaign contributions.

"I put no conditions on the money I gave Mr. Spicer," he said.

When asked by a defense attorney whether he filed a 1099 tax form for his payments to Spicer and whether they were trying to hide the payments, Massey responded, "sir, I bribed the man. I committed a crime. I was trying to hide it."

Massey said in court that he started paying Spicer in 2001 or 2002. He said he stopped paying Spicer in about 2008, about the time of the federal investigation into the two-year college system.

Massey said Spicer was a "very good friend of mine" and that he read a scripture at Massey's wedding.

Massey indicated he talked to the FBI about Spicer a "great deal."

Massey and Gilley testified in the case accusing VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor and eight others, including four state senators, with corruption for their alleged role in a scheme in which casino owners and their lobbyists tried to bribe legislators to support gambling legislation. Spicer was not a defendant.

Attorneys and witnesses repeatedly mentioned Spicer during the corruption case although he was never alleged to have participated in the corruption related to gambling legislation.