Alabama Governor Once Again Accused of Tribal Casino Ties

Alabama Governor Bob Riley is once again facing accusations that he has taken Mississippi tribal casino money to influence state policy against expanded gambling.

The rumors that Alabama Governor Bob Riley's staunch anti-gambling position is influenced by past tribal casino contributions have arisen again. Bill Johnson, a former Riley aide who is now running against Riley for the governorship, says Mississippi Native Americans donated to Riley's past campaigns to ensure no gambling competition would surface in Alabama.

Johnson alleges that Riley campaign official Dan Gans told him that tribes promised Riley $3 million in 2002, but didn't deliver the total amount. Johnson says, as others before him have, that Riley's zero-tolerance stance against electronic bingo is a development from the gambling promises he made tribal leaders.

"I'm concerned that those dollars from Mississippi Indian casino owners are manipulating public policy in Alabama," said Johnson
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Riley aides deny the charges, and Gans says Johnson is mistaken in his memory of their conversation, and that he never mentioned Riley getting contributions from tribal; casinos.

Riley has in the past been linked to convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who allegedly told tribal casinos that Riley would prevent any expansion of gambling in Alabama. One of Riley's ex-aides had direct ties to Abramoff.