MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) - It could be another two weeks before attorneys defending a casino owner, employees and state lawmakers begin presenting their case to jurors.
Monday, prosecutors begin a 7th week in calling witnesses to the stand in their effort to prove the defendants were engaged in a plot to buy votes in favor of pro-gambling legislation. Meanwhile, there are differing views on testimony from government witnesses Ron Gilley and ex-lobbyist Jarrod Massey.
Massey and the Country Crossing developer told jurors that State Senator Bobby Singleton asked for $25,000 to kill an anti-gambling bill, but Singleton and Bill Sponsor, Senator Harri Anne Smith say that's not true. Oddly enough, no one has been charged in connection with that allegation.
The proposal by Smith reportedly would have blocked electronic bingo machines at Country Crossing. Gilley and Massey also say Smith scuttled the bill because she changed her position on gambling.
They also say Singleton wanted to approve the original bill to embarrass her.
