Tag Archives: Alabama Bingo Legislature

Judges get involved with Bingo Cases that Draw Legal Attention

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Bingo typically conjures images of a grand old time at the local Bingo Parlor, or maybe charitable proceeds that are raised for benevolent causes.  At the very least, the first thought that comes to mind is that of a wholesome recreational pleasure.  Occasionally, however, Bingo can get ugly.  The simple game played for pleasure is involved every now-and-then in legal battles, and even criminal proceedings.  As in the case of the tug-of-war between the courts in Montgomery, Alabama where a judge ordered the destruction of more than 100 electronic Bingo machines.  Or, another example is the case of Jesse James Hall and his wife Juanita who stole money from charitable proceeds for their own profit.

Middlesboro Couple Pleads Guilty to Charitable Bingo Theft 

 

Jesse Hall resigned from his position as the Bell County Constable before he was sentenced to five years of probation for his involvement in the theft of charitable Bingo proceeds.  Hall and his wife Juanita operated the Bell County Bingo Parlor in Middlesboro.  The pair pled guilty to 23 counts against them and they are now barred for life from operating any charitable Bingo organizations or venues.  The Halls handed over their home to the Bell County Fair and Exhibition Board as partial compensation toward the $77, 741 in restitution that the couple has also been ordered to pay.  For Middlesboro residents this is a classic case of greed and gives the game of Bingo a whole new connotation.

More than 100 Bingo Machines to be Destroyed

 

And yet another Bingo battle – this time in Montgomery, Alabama has judges, politicians, and owners of electronic Bingo machines a bit ‘up in arms’.  Raids and threats of raids on any establishment that operates electronic Bingo machines have been conducted and proposed.  More than 100 electronic Bingo machines were seized in 2009 from the White Hall gaming center.  The Anti-gambling Task Force generated the raid and now Judge Robert Vance ordered that the machines be destroyed.  The dispute over electronic Bingo machines extends across the state, according to Attorney General Luther Strange establishments will receive notice in the form of a letter that will outline the state’s stand on electronic Bingo. 

Strange insists that the machines either be removed or be seized by force, in necessary.  Business owners are encouraged to utilize the legal system to acquire court opinion regarding the legality of the equipment as much debate ensues as to whether or not the electronic machines should be considered ‘illegal’ or not.  After the Anti-gambling Task Force conducted the initial raid and seizure, Governor Robert Bentley took office and disbanded the task force.  What lies ahead are plans by the Attorney General’s Office to send out the investigators to determine where and in which establishments a raid may be necessary.  Bingo should be easy, but in this situation it has a lot of people in Alabama scrambling for lucky results.

Authorities Raid Bingo Facility at Center Stage Alabama

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Law enforcement officers raid a casino at Center Stage Alabama and were able to seize a lot of machines a substantial sum of cash. Law enforcers from the office of Attorney General Luther Strange said that the warrant was released because of the ongoing illegal operations by the Bingo Pavilion. For the past few months, the authorities have been investigating and Wednesday marked the culmination of those activities. Strange said that ever since his first day in office, he made it a point to impose illegal gambling laws all over the state.

Strange Outlaws Gambling

The warrant from Strange resulted in the seizure of hundreds of gambling machines, along with a significant amount of cash. The evidence will be used against the Bingo Hall in Alabama in the Houston County court. So far, no arrests have been made and the investigative team has not released information to the public. Center Stage Bingo Hall was given an opportunity to surrender their bingo-related assets in past – to no avail. Thus, AG Strange’s team had no choice but to confiscate all aforementioned items. As recently as the middle of July, law enforcement already blocked people from being able to go inside the casino.  

Nationwide Shutdown Looming?

AG Strange added that several of the nation’s gambling machine factories ceased operations because of law enforcement’s efforts to impose illegal gambling laws. One of the casinos that closed is Country Crossing which later re-opened and changed its name to Center Stage. Sadly, this was done with illegal machines.  Country Crossing closed in 2010 with the help of the Alabama Department of Public Safety and the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.

Ronnie Gilley, the previous Country Crossing developer, was sentenced to more than 6 years in prison after pleading guilty to 11 different counts related to illegal gambling which includes bribery, money laundering and conspiracy. AG Luther Strange said that Gilley offered millions of dollars to state lawmakers so he could get their support for legalized gambling. The AG suggested that the government should increase penalties against illegal gambling operations, to ensure that all operations would cease to exist. Until this happens, illegal casino operators will continue to make millions of dollars and it will continue to be a problem.

Corruption in the Alabama Bingo Legislature

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Prison cells are waiting for those who use bribery to change laws!

Business as usual does not include the bribery of state lawmakers!  Former State Representative, Terry Spicer pled guilty to one count of accepting bribes.  Ronnie Gilley, the developer of Country Crossings Bingo Casino entered a guilty plea as to multiple counts involving bribery in exchange for gaming legislation votes.  A third defendant, Jarrod Massey, a casino lobbyist, also pled guilty to multiple counts involving bribery for legislative votes.

Money talks in every country of the world.  Some people who are loaded with profits, resort to bribery when they see no other way to change prohibitive laws.  However, at his sentencing, Gilley fully acknowledged the wrongfulness of his actions, without rationalizing the cause.  Gilley did not mention the fact that he reasonably feared that his business was about to be terminated by former Gov. Bob Riley.  The casino developer fully understands that there are no excuses for corruption.

 Political Corruption at the Heart of Bingo

Gilley testified for the state at the corruption trials of  and other defendants, all of whom were acquitted regardless of Gilley’s testimony.  The prosecutor recommended leniency in sentencing Gilley due to his full cooperation with law enforcement and the judicial system. At his sentencing on July 16, 2012, Gilley made clear that corruption is pervasive in Alabama.  He fully confirms the prosecutor’s perception that bribery undermines the American legislative process and robs citizens of their trust in elected officials.

Ronnie Gilley is, above all else, a positive and forward-thinking individual.  In his comments to reporters after the sentencing, Gilley expressed his concern regarding the  BamaJam Farms which he has worked hard to develop.  He believes that the BamaJam Farms will contribute to the establishment of Alabama as a tourist mecca. Gilley also hopes that the sentencing of the trio will result in the initiation of the end of Alabama corruption.  He wants to move beyond the issues of his case and see some good result from all of the intense trauma.  The developer of the Country Crossings Bingo Casino has proven himself to be quite a strong, honest and impressive individual.

Terry Spicer, former State Representative

All three of the defendants and their respective families have been completely traumatized by the case against them.  Terry Spicer chose to rationalize his receipt of bribes by characterizing them as gifts from family friend Jarrod Massey.  Spicer stated to the Court that his guilty plea was the result of the lack of sufficient funds with which to fight the charges against him.  However, in answer to the judge’s pointed question during sentencing, Spicer admitted that he is not innocent.  In the moment of judgment, some rise above, and others slither away.

Prison Sentences

Ronnie Gilley received the largest sentence.  He will be incarcerated for almost seven years, and is required to forfeit $200,000.  This prison sentence is 40% of the Federal Guidelines.  The judge took several factors into consideration, including Gilley’s cooperation with the investigation into legislative vote-buying. Jarrod Massey was sentenced to 5½ years in prison, and is required to forfeit $20,000.

His sentence was lighter than the Federal Guidelines, due in part to his cooperation with the legal authorities. Terry Spicer was given a prison sentence of almost five years.  He was also fined $40,000. Bribery is never to be sanctioned, as American freedom is dependent upon the lack of bias in the actions of legislators.  In the words of Baretta:  “Don’t do the crime, if you can’t do the time.”