Gilley Gets His Wish

Ronnie Gilley, the casino developer of Dothan, Ala.’s troubled Country Crossing, was one of many to be recently indicted for allegedly participating in political bribery.

FBI agents made arrests at several locations across Alabama Oct. 4. The indictment has 11 defendants including the owner of the state’s largest casino, VictoryLand, and state Sens. Harri Anne Smith, James Prueitt, Larry Means and Quinton Ross Jr.

The FBI accuses the casino owners and statehouse figures of conspiring to make payments and campaign donations to affect “pro-gambling legislation.” The Justice Department, in a statement, said the accused acted “in a conspiracy to offer and bribe legislators for their votes and influence on proposed legislation.”

The defendants are accused of vote buying in an effort to get a bill passed that would have legalized electronic bingo in the state.
Also indicted were lobbyists who represent VictoryLand and a lobbyist and publicist for Country Crossing. Gilley recently called for his own arrest so he could have his day in court.

Electronic bingo casinos operated in Alabama for several years until the governor labeled the machines illegal slots and ordered a task force to close them down. The task force was instrumental in shutting down Country Crossing at the beginning of the year because of its “illegal” bingo machines. The development has several country music star investors and namesake attractions like John Anderson’s Cafeteria and The Grascals’ Bluegrass Hollow RV Park.