Casino Owner Milton McGregor, & 3 State Senators, Others, Arrested in Federal Indictment for Conspiracy to Influence & Corrupt Votes Related to Ala. Electronic Bingo Legislation

Here's a news story that won't get much publicity in the mainstream media. Milton McGregor, the owner of Alabama's largest casino, was arrested, along with Country Crossing casino employee Jay Walker, lobbyist Jarrod Massey and state senators Larry Means, Harri Anne Smith and Jim Preuitt. According to Tuscaloosa News, five other defendants have also been indicted. The indictment, released Monday, accused the casino owners and state politicians of conspiring to make payments and campaign donations to affect "pro-gambling legislation."

"Today, charges were unsealed against 11 legislators, businessmen, lobbyists and associates who, together, are alleged to have formed a corrupt network whose aim was to buy and sell votes in the Alabama legislature in order to directly benefit the business interests of two defendants, Milton McGregor and Ronald Gilley," said Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division.  "The people of Alabama, like all our citizens, deserve to have representatives who act in the public’s interest, not for their own personal financial gain. Vote-buying, like the kind alleged in this indictment, corrodes the public’s faith in our democratic institutions and cannot go unpunished."

"The allegations in today’s indictment underscore the commitment of the FBI, the Department of Justice, and the Alabama Bureau of Investigation to continue to pursue those in public office who undermine the public’s trust and engage in unethical and corrupt practices," said Assistant Director Kevin Perkins of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. Source

Is anyone surprised by the alleged actions of the 11? Not me. To read the entire press release from the Department of Justice, CLICK HERE.