Legal Bills Mounting For Task Force On Illegal Gambling In Alabama

Governor Robert Riley started his Task Force on Illegal Gambling in December of 2008, and in the past fifteen months, the Task Force has run up some big bills. Over a half million dollars has been paid to an Alabama law firm assisting with the operation.

The debate has been building over the past year as to the need for the Task Force. Riley and John Tyson Jr., the leader of the Task Force, have vowed in recent weeks to continue to seek out electronic bingo halls and carry out raids.

Last week, a judge ordered Attorney General Troy King to decide whether or not he will seize control of the Task Force. King followed that up by meeting in person with Riley. The two spent the weekend thinking about what was discussed at that meeting on Thursday.

Attorneys Matt Lembke and Michael Pennington of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP were used as legal buffers between the Task Force and their operations. The total amount paid to Bradley Arant is $536,115.

"It makes no sense at a time when many of my friends are out of work that the state is spending taxpayer money on these gambling raids," said Mary Bennett, "nobody even knows for sure whether or not these gambling establishments are legal."

The Montgomery Advertiser had been on Riley's office to release the figures. After a written request on February 16th, the governor's office finally gave up the information. The contract with Bradley Arant calls for payment up to $650,000.

March 21, 2010
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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