Bingo Trial Commences 8 Months after Indictment

Nine defendants, who were indicted by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) eight months back on various charges of bingo corruption, were relieved when their bingo case finally came up for hearing. This week, a federal court based in Montgomery set into motion the jury selection process for the bingo trial.

Milton McGregor, the owner of the Victoryland Dog Racetrack in Alabama, and Ronnie Gilley, the owner of the Country Crossing Entertainment Center, are the key defendants of the bingo case. Gilley was indicted for attempting to purchase and sell votes in support of pro-gaming bingo laws last year. While counsel for McGregor Joe Espy maintains that his client is innocent, Gilley has already pled guilty and has become a witness for the prosecution.

A series of secretly recorded activities are to be played in court and attorney Bobby Seagal has revealed that some of the recorded conversations contain “pretty salty” language. These recordings were stealthily done by the government.

The opening statements will be made either late on Wednesday or on Thursday. There are some 200 potential jurors at present, and the court has already completed the selection procedures for around 30 of those jurors and hope the procedures will gather speed toward the end of the week.

Bob Riley, Paul Hubbert, and David Bronner will all be asked to testify in the bingo trial. So will former district attorneys, former members of the legislature, present members of the legislature, and former sheriffs.