Alabama Legislator Sentenced to Prison for Bribery

A shocking tale of corruption unfolded in Alabama as three individuals, including a businessman, lobbyist, and former state representative, were sentenced to prison for their roles in a wide-ranging bribery scheme that influenced the activities of the Alabama State Legislature.

According to court documents and testimony, Ronald Gilley, a 47-year-old businessman from Dothan, Alabama, and Jarrod Massey, a 41-year-old lobbyist from Troy, Alabama, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to bribe multiple members of the Alabama legislature, as well as individual instances of federal program bribery involving legislators.

Gilley, who owned a controlling interest in the Country Crossing real estate, entertainment, and gambling development in Houston County, Alabama, was sentenced to 80 months in prison, while Massey received a 65-month sentence. Both defendants were also sentenced to a term of supervised release following their prison terms.

The scheme involved Gilley and Massey promoting the passage of pro-gambling legislation during the 2009 and 2010 Alabama legislative session, which would have been favorable to operating electronic bingo facilities. They corruptly gave, offered, and agreed to give money and other things of value to Alabama state legislators with the intent to influence and reward them in connection with pro-gambling legislation.

Gilley also pleaded guilty to money laundering for attempting to launder $200,000 in bribe payments to a state senator in order to disguise the illicit purpose of the money. Both Gilley and Massey assisted in the government’s investigation and received a recommended reduction in their sentences as a result.

Former Alabama state representative Terry Spicer, 46, of Elba, Alabama, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for his role in a separate bribery conspiracy. Spicer pleaded guilty to federal program bribery for soliciting and receiving multiple things of value from Gilley and Massey, including cash payments ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 per month, an all-expenses-paid ski trip for his family valued at $10,000, and more than $22,500 in free concert tickets.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Chief M. Kendall Day and Trial Attorneys Emily Rae Woods and Marquest J. Meeks of the Public Integrity Section in the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Montgomery Field Office.

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