Sen. Tom Butler, D-Madison
It (the investigation) seems to be focused on the lobbying effort more than the legislative perspective. Did any lobbyists make any inappropriate offers? Obviously, my vote was no and stayed no from day-one.”
Source: The Huntsville Times
Rep. Mac Gipson, R-Prattville
Gipson said he did not know anything firsthand. He has not been offered anything and has not seen anything inappropriate. He said he did not know why he was included in the investigation.
“I have been a no vote on that particular issue from the get-go because I didn’t like the legislation. It wasn’t a good straight up or down vote.”
Source: Montgomery Advertiser
Rep. Steve French, R-Birmingham
Prior to the gambling vote, certain offers were made to me that I thought were inappropriate. I called the authorities and shared this information. An investigation has clearly resulted and I continue to freely cooperate with authorities and share any information I have.”
Source: The Birmingham News
Rep. Barry Mask, R-Wetumpka
I’m just sad for Alabama. … I believe the people deserve better.”
“I think there has been a lot of inappropriate things going on since the inception of this bill. It’s a sad day for Alabama. … I just didn’t go to (House Tourism and Travel) committee meetings because it’s just become a rubber stamp for every gambling bill and liquor bill. … It ought to be called Gambling and Liquor because that’s everything that’s in there. So, there’s no need for me to go. I’ve been doing it for three and a half years and just been beating my head. … I think there is going to be a … cry next year to get rid of this once and for all. (He expects indictments.) The state deserves better.”
Source: Montgomery Advertiser video
Sen. Paul Sanford, R-Huntsville
He told The Birmingham News that he wore an electronic monitoring device, or “wire,” during this year’s legislative session to help the investigation. Sanford said, “(Country Crossing Lobbyist Jarrod) Massey offered him $250,000 in contributions last year if he agreed to support bingo legislation. He said he turned down the offer. Sanford, who contacted federal investigators a week ago (in April), voted no on the bingo bill that passed the Senate on March 30.”
Source: The Birmingham News
Sen. Trip Pittman, R-Daphne
There were some political offers that were made that there could possibly be a revenue stream provided to help with the coastal insurance problem (in Mobile County) if I supported the bill.” When Pittman was asked who made that offer to him, he said, “They were other legislators. I’m opposed to bingo, so I told them I wasn’t willing to negotiate.” After speaking to the grand jury, he said, “They are trying to determine if anything improper happened in terms of what people may have been offered for their vote.”
Source: Montgomery Advertiser video
Sen. Ben Brooks, R-Mobile
They want to know what went on behind the scenes and I’m going to tell them. … I heard a few things that concerned me and I’m going to tell the jury.” According to the AP News, Brooks said “he told the grand jurors he felt intimidated by a full-page negative ad aimed at him that was run by bingo bill supporters in the Mobile Press-Register before the vote in the Senate.” He said, “I told them nobody offered anything for my vote, but I took that ad as an attempt to scare me.”
Source: Montgomery Advertiser video and AP News
Rep. David Grimes, R-Montgomery
A taped conversation between VictoryLand Owner Milton McGregor and Lobbyist Bob Geddie was played before the grand jury. According to The Associated Press, McGregor and Geddie discussed how Grimes’ vote seemed to be “wavering.”
Source: The Associated Press
Rep. Benjamin Lewis, R-Dothan
He said “someone communicated with him concerning legislation to authorize and regulate bingo in a way he felt was inappropriate. He said, “I felt I had a duty to report it (to federal authorities).”
Source: The Associated Press
Sen. Charles Bishop, R-Jasper
I got left out of the loop so I didn’t get bribed. I don’t really know anything. They didn’t talk to me prior. I don’t know if I’m here to talk about the bingo bill in the Senate or the problems we had in Walker County.”
Source: Montgomery Advertiser video
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