4 State Senators/5 Gambling Lobbyists Charged in Massive AL Corruption Scheme

The US Justice Department yesterday arrested 12 people charged in a massive vote-buying scheme intended to legalize electronic bingo (slot) machines in Alabama.

"The alleged criminal scheme was astonishing in scope … [T]he defendants' corrupt conduct infiltrated every layer of the legislative process in the state of Alabama,” said Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer.

Four state senators (both parties), a legislative staffer, two casino owners, and five lobbyists were charged in the case yesterday.

One of the lobbyists has already plead guilty to offering a state senator $2 million, use of country music stars in his campaign, and the purchase of multiple cars from his auto dealership in return for his vote to legalize slots. Another accused state senator is charged with demanding $100,000 from a casino owner and his lobbyist in return for his vote. A third state senator demanded $25,000 from a gambling lobbyist in return for his continued support. The fourth state senator solicited a campaign contribution in return for lobbying other members of the legislature to vote for slots. A legislative employee was paid $3,000 per month by a casino lobbyist to draft gambling legislation.

I sincerely hope that slot casino supporters here in New Hampshire will cease being cavalier about the risks of corruption of our legislature by gambling interests. Political corruption has followed (or preceded) slot casino legalization in every state to have reached into this cesspool to find tax revenue.

Detailed news report on the Alabama corruption case: http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20101005/NEWS02/10050324/11-charged-in-bingo-vote-buying-case