Milton E. McGregor, Federal Program Bribery, Alabama 2009

Eleven individuals, including four current Alabama state legislators, have been charged in a wide-ranging corruption probe, accused of forming a corrupt network to buy and sell votes in the Alabama legislature in exchange for personal financial gain.

According to the indictment, the individuals, which include lobbyists, businessmen, and a staff member, allegedly conspired to offer to and bribe legislators for their votes and influence on proposed legislation related to electronic bingo. The scheme was allegedly orchestrated by Milton E. McGregor, a business owner with a controlling interest in several entertainment and gambling facilities in Alabama, and Ronald E. Gilley, who owned a controlling interest in the Country Crossing real estate, entertainment and gambling development in Houston County, Ala.

The indictment alleges that from February 2009 through August 2010, McGregor, Gilley, and their co-defendants conspired to commit federal program bribery by corruptly giving, offering, and agreeing to give money and other things of value to Alabama state legislators and staff with the intent to influence and reward them in connection with pro-gambling legislation.

The indictment also alleges that Alabama state legislators, including State Senator Larry P. Means, State Senator James E. Preuitt, State Senator Quinton T. Ross Jr., and Senator Harri Anne H. Smith, corruptly solicited, demanded, accepted, and agreed to accept money and things of value from their co-conspirators and others, intending to be influenced and rewarded in connection with pro-gambling legislation.

Specifically, the indictment alleges that Gilley, his primary lobbyist, Jarrod D. Massey, and State Senator Smith, sought to bribe a member of the Alabama House of Representatives during the 2009 legislative session, promising hundreds of dollars in exchange for their vote.

The defendants will make initial appearances today in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama before U.S. Magistrate Judge Terry F. Moorer. The charges include conspiracy, federal program bribery, extortion, money laundering, honest services mail and wire fraud, obstruction of justice, and making a false statement.

The indictment was unsealed today following a grand jury investigation, and the charges mark a significant blow to the Alabama legislature and the public’s trust in the institution.

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