Hypocrisy Revealed

[AUChizad]

http://blog.al.com/live/2010/01/milton_mcgregor_my_detective_f.html

Milton McGregor: My detective found antigambling task force commander in casino
By George Talbot
January 22, 2010, 9:00AM

David Barber, commander of the Governor's Task Force on Illegal Gambling, talks to the media about the gaming machines confiscated from White Hall Entertainment in White Hall, Ala. on March 20, 2009. Barber stepped down last week saying he recently won $2,300 at a Mississippi casino. Victoryland owner Milton McGregor says a private detective working on his behalf found Barber at a slot machine in the facility.

VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor said Thursday that a private detective working on his behalf caught David Barber, the head of Gov. Bob Riley's antigambling task force, playing a slot machine at a Mississippi casino.

McGregor said he hired an investigator to follow Barber to the Golden Moon casino in Philadelphia, Miss., where Barber won a $2,300 jackpot in late December.

"I knew he was going there. I knew what took place in Mississippi," McGregor told the Press-Register. "I wasn't out to destroy David Barber. He destroyed himself."

McGregor and other Alabama casino owners are waging a high-stakes battle with the Riley administration over the legality of electronic bingo machines, which have been seized in raids led by Barber's task force.

Barber, a former Jefferson County District Attorney, resigned his position as commander of the Task Force on Illegal Gambling on Jan. 13.

"On a recent visit to Mississippi, I visited a legal casino and won $2,300 playing a legal game," Barber wrote in a letter to Riley. "While my actions were in full compliance with the law, I am convinced that the forces that operate illegal casinos in Alabama will focus on my actions as part of their continuing effort to smear you and your Task Force."

Riley accepted his resignation in a letter the next day. Barber, appointed in December 2008, agreed to stay on the job until a replacement is appointed.

McGregor claimed that he put that chain of events into motion by getting word to Riley through an intermediary that he had proof that Barber was gambling. He said he gave Riley a Jan. 15 deadline to disclose Barber's activity or else he would disclose it himself.

Riley announced Barber's resignation on Jan. 15. The news sent shock waves across the Alabama political landscape, and earned national headlines.

"I found it amusing but disgusting. I detest hypocrisy," McGregor said. "You'd be surprised what you can find out by monitoring somebody. It doesn't take long."

Riley's office vehemently denied McGregor's account.

"Milton McGregor is a liar," said Jeff Emerson, communications director for Riley.

A second spokesman for the governor said Riley learned about Barber's activity from a member of his legal staff on Jan. 13.

"Barber told (deputy legal adviser) Sonny Reagan that he had been to a casino recently and that he won some money. Sonny then immediately told the governor about the situation. I was with the governor when this happened," said Riley spokesman Todd Stacy.

McGregor's VictoryLand entertainment complex in Shorter features electronic bingo games, greyhound racing and other forms of gambling.

The bingo games resemble slot machines, which are illegal in Alabama. McGregor and other casino owners argue that the bingo machines comply with Alabama law.

"You can't get any more legal than VictoryLand," he said.

Riley disagrees, using a Nov. 13 ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court as a springboard to conduct raids on bingo halls across the state.

McGregor's VictoryLand is one of the biggest in Alabama. The $200 million complex features a hotel, six restaurants and more than 6,000 electronic bingo machines.

McGregor said he modified all of his machines to comply with the court's ruling, which laid out a series of definitions that could be used to distinguish bingo machines from slots. The changes, McGregor said, detract from the playing experience and put him at a disadvantage to Indian casinos that are exempt from the ruling.

He said business at Victoryland has fallen more than 50 percent since he altered his machines to meet the Supreme Court's definition. Most of that business, he said, has shifted to Indian casinos.

VictoryLand employs more than 2,000 workers in Macon County, but McGregor said it could be forced to make layoffs if business doesn't rebound.

The court's 6-3 ruling "is very much an economic hardship for us. It's totally unfair and wrong that six people on Dexter Avenue could do anybody like that," he said. "The good news is, I'm in compliance. The bad news is, it's destroying my business."

McGregor said the Birmingham-based law firm hired to advise Riley's task force had itself concluded that VictoryLand's machines were legal.

"You have Bradley Arant, one of the biggest law firms in Alabama, saying we're legal. And that's not my lawyers -- that's the governor's," he said.

McGregor said he supports a proposed constitutional amendment that would settle the dispute by regulating and taxing bingo operations. The proposal would have to be approved in a statewide vote.

He said the amendment would create 25,000 to 30,000 jobs statewide and generate $400 million to $500 million annually for the state budget. McGregor said he'd seen polling that showed 89 percent of Alabamians favored an up-or-down vote on gambling and 79 percent said they would vote to approve it.

"Let the people decide," he said. "I think I know what they'll say. I'm willing to bet on it."

"Milton McGregor is a liar," said Jeff Emerson, communications director for Riley.

Fuck you, Jeff. What kind of idiot statement is that in an article like this where it was proven, and admitted that this asshole was gambling?

I just watched a news clip on WSFA.

Riley said "When you get to the point that law enforcement agents are being monitored, then you have a real problem."

You mean, holding people accountable for their own actions?

He then said on camera as a warning, "Don't get too close. And don't you get too close to the families. Cause that's when everything changes." When asked if he would explain that comment, he shook his head no.

WTF?

[Token]

Being in law enforcement means you can't do certain things.  Things that you probably enjoyed at some point in your life.  It's an unwritten rule.  Don't do shit that you don't want to see on television or in the paper.  That guy got what he deserved.   

As for the family business, I agree.  You want to follow me around all day taking pictures of my every movement in hopes of getting some dirt on me?  So be it.  Don't fuck with my family though.  Don't take pictures of my kids.  Don't take pictures of my wife.  Don't follow my kids or wife around.  And you better make damn certain that IF you decide to follow my wife and kids, you don't let me catch you.

Regardless of circumstances, I'm 100% sure all of you would feel the same way about your family also. 

[AUChizad]

The bigger point here is, this is the head of the task force to make sure gambling stays illegal. This guy's entire career is based on trying to convince us of the evils of gambling and then the fucker goes and does it in Mississippi, just like everyone else that could be keeping their money in Alabama.

It's also coming out that the Mississippi casinos contributed heavily to Riley's campaign. If gambling becomes legal in Alabama, Mississippi loses a considerable chunk of its business to people that keep their money in Alabama. Meanwhile Alabama loses millions of dollars in revenue and jobs.

Andthis whole thing is just crooked as shit. McGregor told Riley if he didn't admit this guy was gambling by January 15, he'd out him himself. The dude publically resigns on the 15th. Riley claims that's purely wild coincidence. And the tone of those comments I mentioned above were mafia style. Basically he was saying, if you fuck with the bull, you're gonna get the horns.

[Kaos]

Riley is a sleaze bag. 

Isn't he from Clay County?  Ever been there?  Redneck mafia. 

Please work with me against Bradley Byrne.  He is as crooked as they come.  He is an extension of the hillbilly mafia that currently controls the state. 

[Jumbo]

Protecting the Mississippi casino's and trying to stop legalized gambling in the Alabama? Riley is a joke.

[AUChizad]

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20100123/NEWS02/1230304/Riley-McGregor-at-odds-on-Barber-gambling

Riley, McGregor at odds on Barber gambling
By Bob Johnson • The Associated Press • January 23, 2010

McGregor said Friday he had a private investigator follow David Barber to the Golden Moon casino in Philadelphia, Miss., where Barber won a $2,300 jackpot while playing a slot machine. McGregor said he informed Riley through an intermediary of Barber's actions long before Barber publicly resigned on Jan. 15.

McGregor said the intermediary told Riley he had until 5 p.m. Jan. 15 to make it public that Barber was gambling in Mississippi or McGregor would announce it.

McGregor declined to name the intermediary.

Riley said Friday that McGregor's claim is "absolutely untrue." The governor said that he found out from his legal staff on Jan. 13, two days before Barber resigned.

The governor's communications director, Jeff Emerson, said Barber called the governor's deputy legal adviser, Sonny Reagan, on that day and told him about the gambling winnings. Reagan's office is a floor below Riley's at the state Capitol and he ran upstairs and found Riley in a car getting ready, Emerson said.

"The governor had to roll down his car window to hear him," Emerson said.

Riley said Friday he was concerned that McGregor's investigator was not just watching Barber, but also other members of the task force including police officers and state troopers. He said he was concerned that law enforcement officers were being "constantly monitored."

"That's something everybody in the state should think about," Riley said. I thought about it. Yup. I'm pretty sure that's a good thing to hold these corrupt hypocrites accountable for their actions. Boo fucking hoo. Someone might see that my staff is crooked and corrupt as hell.

McGregor denied that he had anyone other than Barber under surveillance and said he was telling the truth about letting Riley know about Barber.

"Anyone that says anything different is not telling you the truth," McGregor said. "I guarantee that they (Riley and Barber) knew that I knew."

The Press-Register in Mobile first reported McGregor's claim concerning when Riley knew about Barber.

Riley declined to say when he would name a replacement for Barber as head of the governor's task force, which came within hours earlier this month of a task force raid of the gambling operations at Country Crossing in Dothan.

"I'm not going to talk about an ongoing investigation," Riley said.

McGregor's VictoryLand entertainment complex in Shorter features electronic bingo games, greyhound racing and other forms of gambling.

McGregor said the more than 6,000 electronic bingo games at VictoryLand are legal.

Riley disagrees and has used a Nov. 13 ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court as a springboard to conduct raids on bingo halls across the state.

McGregor said he modified the machines at VictoryLand to comply with the court's ruling, which laid out a series of definitions that could be used to distinguish bingo machines from slot machines.

McGregor said business at VictoryLand has fallen more than 50 percent since he altered his machines to meet the Supreme Court's definition. McGregor said he believes most of his customers have gone to Indian casinos.

My thing is, how can he DENY that McGregor hired a PI to follow him around, yet the guy ADMITS to gambling in Mississippi, and just decided to resign on his own? You're trying to sell me the idea that this guy premeditated driving to Philadelphia, MS, won $2,300, and then came back and said "You know what Bob, I just realized that I'm the head of the anti-gambling commission and I just gambled like a motherfucker in Mississippi. I think I should probably lose my job over this."

How stupid does Riley think the people of Alabama are?

[Kaos]

How stupid does Riley think the people of Alabama are?

Want me to answer that? 

I've seen first hand what Riley and his operatives are capable of doing to attempt to destroy potential democratic challengers. 

[bottomfeeder]

Public sector par for the course.

[Jumbo]

Riley's goin' to roll a 7 and crap out.

[ggraf71]

Ya know, of the extreme religious right wouldn't have blocked the lotto back in the late 90s, I wouldn't have 45K worth of student loans right now. That would be more money that I could pump into the state economy instead of the federal.

[AUTiger1]

Ya know, of the extreme religious right wouldn't have blocked the lotto back in the late 90s, I wouldn't have 45K worth of student loans right now. That would be more money that I could pump into the state economy instead of the federal.

You would hope.  Personally I voted against it, not for religious reasons either, but on the fact that the bill was written poorly.  It had no structure, none.  It was basically a big piece of bullshit that stated "we are going to legalize gambling"  except it took them a bunch of words and pages to state that.   I wanted to know how they were going to spend and account for every penny of revenue that was generated.  They couldn't even do that.  I don't trust the fucking fuckers with the money, especially when they couldn't even tell you how they were going to use it.

[AUChizad]

You would hope.  Personally I voted against it, not for religious reasons either, but on the fact that the bill was written poorly.  It had no structure, none.  It was basically a big piece of bullshit that stated "we are going to legalize gambling"  except it took them a bunch of words and pages to state that.   I wanted to know how they were going to spend and account for every penny of revenue that was generated.  They couldn't even do that.  I don't trust the fucking fuckers with the money, especially when they couldn't even tell you how they were going to use it.

You should voice this to Riley and every political candidate in your district.

[Thrilla]

You should voice this to Riley and every political candidate in your district.

Of more importance is that you use the term "fucking fuckers" in your letter to them.  It should get their attention.

[AUTiger1]

You should voice this to Riley and every political candidate in your district.

Has already been taken care of.......several times.

Thrilla:  Sorry to disappoint, but I did not use the term "fucking fuckers" 

[Thrilla]

Thrilla:  Sorry to disappoint, but I did not use the term "fucking fuckers" 

And you wonder why shit ain't changed.

[Tarheel]

Has already been taken care of.......several times.

Thrilla:  Sorry to disappoint, but I did not use the term "phuking phukers" 

It's probably a good thing that you didn't use that terminology in your letter, AUT1, you might be on the "monitored" list too.

[Tarheel]

The bigger point here is, this is the head of the task force to make sure gambling stays illegal. This guy's entire career is based on trying to convince us of the evils of gambling and then the phuker goes and does it in Mississippi, just like everyone else that could be keeping their money in Alabama.

It's also coming out that the Mississippi casinos contributed heavily to Riley's campaign. If gambling becomes legal in Alabama, Mississippi loses a considerable chunk of its business to people that keep their money in Alabama. Meanwhile Alabama loses millions of dollars in revenue and jobs.

Andthis whole thing is just crooked as poop. McGregor told Riley if he didn't admit this guy was gambling by January 15, he'd out him himself. The dude publically resigns on the 15th. Riley claims that's purely wild coincidence. And the tone of those comments I mentioned above were mafia style. Basically he was saying, if you phuk with the bull, you're gonna get the horns.

Too bad they're all hypocritical Republicans...if they were hypocritical Democrats none of this poop would stick.

[AUChizad]

Too bad they're all hypocritical Republicans...if they were hypocritical Democrats none of this poop would stick.

Not in this state.

If they were hypocritical Democrats you'd be shitting your pants trying to get them out of office.

This is the problem with the party system that we spoke about in another thread.

Hypocrisy and corruption are hypocrisy and corruption. I don't care which political party funds their campaigns.

[AUTiger1]

It's probably a good thing that you didn't use that terminology in your letter, AUT1, you might be on the "monitored" list too.

I fear that I will be the on the first list of those that will get hauled away to re-education camp a free vacation from the gov't.

[Tarheel]

Not in this state.

If they were hypocritical Democrats you'd be poopting your pants trying to get them out of office.

This is the problem with the party system that we spoke about in another thread.

Hypocrisy and corruption are hypocrisy and corruption. I don't care which political party funds their campaigns.

Now wait just a minute here...I don't like hypocritical Democrats OR Republicans.  And in this case the exposed hypocrisy is absolutely indefensible (not that there's any hypocrisy that is defensible...); Barber should resign (he did as I understand it) at the very least.

The only problem with the two party system (which is a red herring in your comment above) with regards to this particular incident is that a Democrat would have likely gotten away with it...a Republican won't (perhaps in the Deep South that might be an exception).  I think that you'll agree that most politicians regardless of party are considered corrupt as the day is long with few exceptions and they all should equally be held accountable.

I would expound further on what Token said in that people in law enforcement (and I have some very good personal friends in the police) must live by the laws that they enforce.  What Barber did is not illegal per se but because of his position in government it looks damnable.  Gambling even in a state where it is legal is not something he should be engaging in at all; and he's a hypocritical dumbass for doing it.