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State Rep. Barry Mask appears to be at the center of a high profile Alabama gambling probe resulting in the indictments this week of four state Senators, three casino owners and a handful of lobbyists.
Mask is perceived to be one of the primary witnesses in the case.
From the Elmore County Weekend:
Mask said it was “not any secret I was a witness for the government.” He testified for four hours before the federal grand jury in early May. After his testimony, he spoke of “shenanigans” surrounding the April vote on electronic bingo, which lead him to speak with federal prosecutors.
There is indeed speculation that Mask could have been “Legislator 3”, essentially a wired informant for the government.
He went to prosecutors after he felt he had received some improper contacts related to his vote on the gambling legislation which never passed the Legislature in the 2010 session, according to the Wetumpka Herald.
Indicted this week were the developer of the Country Crossing Casino in Dothan, Ronnie Gilley, and Miton McGregor, who is owner of the VictoryLand Casno in Shorter in addition to being a financial backer of Country Crossing. The four Senators charged are Harri Anne Smith, Larry Means, Quinton Ross, Jr. and James Preuitt.
Senator Smith’s attorney said the indictments were "a nakedly political move, coordinated by prosecutors in cahoots with the governor's office" to influence November elections. Smith, Means and Ross Jr. are each seeking re-election. – Jagajeet Chiba reporting for Gambling911.com.
