WHAT: The FBI arrested the owner of Alabama’s largest casino, four state senators and several lobbyists on federal charges of conspiring to buy and sell votes for millions of dollars in a failed push to get electronic bingo legalized in the state.
HOW: One lobbyist pleaded guilty to offering $2 million for the vote of an indicted senator. Lawmakers allegedly solicited fees of $100,000 or more. The indictment said casinos offered campaign help such as concerts by country stars.
WHY: Electronic bingo casinos operated in Alabama for several years until Gov. Bob Riley labeled the machines illegal slots and organized a task force to close them down.
