Lobbyist: Means wanted $100K for vote
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, February 14, 2012
A casino lobbyist Monday afternoon said she believed former Sen. Larry Means, D-Attalla, wanted a $100,000 campaign contribution in exchange for his vote on a 2010 gambling bill.
Jennifer Pouncy, who lobbied for Country Crossing casino, testified in the Alabama bingo trial today that she visited with Means at the State House in the days leading up to the March 30, 2010, vote.
Means told her that he was facing a tough and expensive re-election campaign against a war veteran and that he would lose financial support from people trying to open a casino in Etowah County if he voted for the bill, Pouncy testified.
Means then asked for a $100,000 contribution, Pouncy testified.
“My understanding was that he wanted $100,000 in exchange for his vote on Senate Bill 380,” Pouncy testified.
“No , I did not misunderstand,” Pouncy said under questioning by prosecutor Edward T. Kang. Pouncy said Means also indicated that another lobbyist was putting together a package for him from the state’s dog tracks.