Country Crossing Casino developer Ronnie Gilley pleaded guilty Friday in federal court. He admitted to eleven charges involving buying and selling votes on pro-gambling legislation. Gilley will be sentenced in November.
He has agreed to testify against eight other co-defendants, four of them are state
Gilley's deal could give federal prosecutors leverage in their case against Victoryland Casino owner Milton McGregor.
WAFF 48's legal analyst Mark McDaniel said the government's second biggest target in the Alabama gambling probe should shed a lot of light to a potential judge and jury.
"There's going to be the assumption that he knows everything that's going on. His lobbyist already entered a plea of guilty," McDaniel said.
That lobbyist, Jarrod Massey, pleaded guilty in December to bribing state legislators. During the investigation, Senator Paul Sanford of Madison County told the FBI he was one of those Massey tried to buy but that Sanford refused a $200,000 offer.
Sanford said he hopes convictions help deter others from corrupting state politics
"Admission of guilt from one of the top guys it really just rings through the state. That there was some corruption going on at a much higher level than anyone thought, and this is vindication, I think, for the Alabama citizens," Sanford said.
Lobbyist Jennifer Pouncy pleaded guilty earlier in the investigation.
The other eight defendants are scheduled to go on trial June 6th.
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