Bama Governor's Gambling Untouchables Love Casinos Too

Even the hand-picked members of Alabama's special gambling task force like to play at casinos, it seems, as the group's leader resigns for playing at a Mississippi tribal casino.

Alabama Governor Bob Riley finds himself increasingly alone on an island as even his closest allies in his fight against gambling can't resist the lure of casinos and gaming. Wednesday, the head of Riley's special anti-gambling task force resigned, after it became public he had collected $2300 in winnings from a Mississippi casino.

Although David Barber insisted he had done nothing illegal, the appearance of impropriety by Riley's hand-picked man in his battle against legalized gambling was enough to lead to Barber's resignation. Riley's campaign had become as much a debate on morality as legality in many minds, as the governor insisted Alabama would not tolerate even the simple electronic bingo games found in some counties.

"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," Barber wrote to Riley, explaining his decision to quit.

Ironically, Mississippi casinos have already been a constant source of embarrassment for Riley. Much has been made of the governor's ties to Indian casinos in the neighboring state, as convicted felon and former lobbyist Jack Abramoff had been caught on tape saying Riley would never allow competition to form in Alabama. One of Riley's closest aides had worked with Abramoff, and Riley is rumored to have received large campaign contributions from the casinos.

Douglas Valeska, district attorney of Houston County and a proponent of electronic bingo, asked Riley to suspend his task force in light of Barber's actions. Valeska, noting that Riley has claimed it was at his invitation for assistance that the task force went to Houston County, publicly withdrew any such invitation.

Meanwhile, gambling proponents loudly pointed to Barber's gaming, and recalled Riley's bet on college football with Florida Governor Charlie Crist just weeks ago.

"It clearly shows what we have been saying since day one; how hypocritical and dishonest David Barber and Bob Riley have been, and still are, on the bingo issue," said bingo operator Milton McGregor to the Montgomery Advertiser.