GOP leader helps pay Sen. Ross' legal fees
Written by Phillip Rawls The Associated Press
The Republican leader of the Alabama Senate said Thursday he helped pay the legal bills of a Democratic senator acquitted of all charges in Alabama's gambling corruption investigation.
Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh of Anniston donated $5,000 from his campaign fund to the legal defense fund for Sen. Quinton Ross of Montgomery because "I wanted to help him get through this period of his life."
Ross said he and Marsh have a good working relationship, but he was surprised when the Senate's top Republican told him that he wanted to help.
"I appreciate the fact he was able to rise above the politics and view the humanity side of the issue," Ross said.
In October 2010, Ross was indicted on bribery and conspiracy charges accusing him of seeking big campaign contributions from casino interests in return for voting for pro-gambling legislation. Ross' attorneys argued that he had always supported and sponsored pro- gambling legislation, so he had no votes to sell for bribes. The jury agreed and acquitted him on charges in August 2011. The jury could not decide all the charges against six other defendants who are scheduled for retrial starting Monday.
After Ross' indictment, several friends set up a trust fund to help defray his legal bills, and they sent letters to legislators, lobbyists and others seeking donations. Because of state laws, Ross can't be involved in the fundraising, and he said he doesn't know who gives unless they happen to mention it to him, which Marsh did.
Marsh reported the donation in a year-end campaign finance form. Two Democratic senators also reported contributions. Sen. Vivian Davis Figures of Mobile listed $1,000 and Sen. Hank Sanders of Selma $500.
Marsh, the first Republican to serve as the Senate's president pro tem since Reconstruction, said he has tried to reach across the aisle and work with Democrats, but that was not the reason he donated $5,000.
"I felt in my heart it was the right thing to do," he said.
Independent Sen. Harri Anne Smith of Slocomb, former Democratic Sen. Larry Means of Attalla, and former Republican Sen. Jim Preuitt of Talladega are among the six facing retrial Monday.
Marsh said he has not helped pay their legal bills.
"I would not feel comfortable being involved in any kind of funds when charges are pending, but once Senator Ross was acquitted, I felt it was time to step up to help," he said.
The chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, Bill Armistead, said he was unaware of Marsh's donation until he was contacted by The Associated Press, and he declined comment.
Ross has used his campaign fund to pay his legal bills, which is permitted by state law. He filed campaign finance reports showing $110,000 in payments over the last two years to the firm of Montgomery attorney Lewis Gillis.
Ross estimates his legal bills will exceed $1 million. The finances of the defense fund have not been made public. One of the trustees, Jerome Gray of Montgomery, said Thursday the fundraising has been slow and the legal bills may never be paid in full.
"The economy is just terrible. It's hard to get people motivated to write checks," he said.
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