Bingo defense works to discredit witness
Published 12:00 am Thursday, June 16, 2011
State Sen. Harri Anne Smith’s ( I-Slocomb) defense attorney tried to pursuade the jury that one of the prosecution’s witnesses in the state house corruption case had personal and political motive for lying about the defendant.
Smith is one of nine people standing trial in federal court in which prosecutors have alleged a conspiracy among a pair of businessmen and others to bribe lawmakers into voting for bingo legislation.
Sen. Scott Beason, R-Gardendale, has testified that Smith confided in him that Country Crossing developer Ronnie Gilley and others could provide $500,000 for a campaign for lieutenant governor is he was on their “team.”