Alabama legislators receiving subpoenas on bingo

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, April 28, 2010

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Legislators from both political parties and both sides of the electronic bingo issue have received subpoenas to testify before a federal grand jury in Montgomery next week.

Legislators who have confirmed they have received subpoenas include Democratic Sen. Tom Butler of Madison, Democratic Sen. Hinton Mitchem of Union Grove, Republican Sen. Scott Beason of Gardendale, Democratic Rep. Craig Ford of Gadsden, Democratic House Speaker Seth Hammett of Andalusia, Republican Rep. Mac Gipson of Prattville and Republican Sen. Paul Sanford of Huntsville.

Legislators said the grand jury appears to be looking at whether inappropriate lobbying occurred on the electronic bingo bill. Most said they recall nothing inappropriate. Some said they had been asked not to comment.