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Bessemer and Fairfield: While awaiting a circuit court ruling in the electronic bingo gambling case in the Bessemer Cut-off section of Jefferson County, Bessemer and Fairfield city leaders planned to bring in machines they said would comply with the recent Alabama Supreme Court bingo verdict.
Fairfield displayed the machines Dec. 3 in Fairfield City Hall, but District Attorney Arthur Green Jr. told the Birmingham News he could not “bless” the machines and it would have to be argued in a court hearing.
In nearby Bessemer, City Council President Earl Cochran could not pass a resolution allowing the machines to be demonstrated in his area.
Cochran wanted to provide the city auditorium at no cost for “bingo companies” wanting to display electronic bingo gambling machines, but Mayor Edward May believes any such viewing would prove nothing.
“Nobody on that council is qualified (to make sure the electronic bingo gambling machines are legal),” said May, who has vetoed two electronic bingo gambling ordinances passed by a majority of the council.
“I’m not qualified, and nobody in the police department is qualified. I think it’s obvious that he’s (Cochran) trying to circumvent the law.”
James Stephens, a council member who has consistently voted against electronic bingo gambling in the area, agreed with May.
“It is not a city councilor’s place to make a determination as to the legality of such machines,” Stephens said. “It can only be a determination of the court. It would not be proper to give an impression otherwise. We should remain impartial and remain at ‘arms length’ in all such matters.”
Stephens said Cochran is using his influence to “aid bingo.”
“It is evident from his (Cochran’s) refusal to recognize the mayor’s veto,” Stephens added. “Couple that with his current requests, and his intentions are obvious.
“He wants bingo, and he will use his influence to make sure that happens.”
Greenetrack: Alabama could be the winner when Greenetrack pays the Department of Revenue more than $72 million for back taxes.
The department’s sales, use and business tax division recently filed two separate liens against the Eutaw facility, which won’t expire until 2019.
According to the Tuscaloosa News, Greenetrack CEO Luther Winn said he believes the action, which applies to all property and rights to property associated with the facility, is part of Gov. Bob Riley’s anti-electronic bingo gambling campaign.
While Greenetrack attorneys reportedly said they would fight the issue in court since they believe there had been “no assessment” and “no bill presented to Greenetrack,” Revenue Commissioner Tim Russell said it is “extremely improbable that [his office] would file a lien on someone who was not aware that we were doing a review.”
“We are extremely slow and follow the process to the letter of the law on issuing liens,” Russell said.
“It usually takes several months. … We work with thousands of taxpayers a year [and] send out thousands of liens every year. … [At times, we] get to the point where we feel it’s in the best interest of the state to file a lien to protect the state.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — As a way to consistently monitor electronic bingo gambling issues across the state, The Alabama Baptist will provide updates such as these each week.
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