Other Articles in this Category
Most Viewed Stories
Most Commented Stories
No raid yet on Country Crossing, grand opening celebrated
COTTONWOOD, AL — Opening night at Country Crossing in Alabama included big crowds, bingo machines and no raid as of yet as the saga of the major gaming development took new twists Friday.
The Associated Press reported that The Alabama Supreme Court cleared the way Friday for the governor’s antigambling task force to raid the electronic bingo operation at the new $87 million entertainment complex.
AP reported that the justices dismissed a judge’s order that had blocked the state task force from raiding the operation and seizing bingo machines. Gov. Bob Riley would not say when the task force might again try to raid Country Crossing or another electronic bingo facility in Alabama.
Also Friday, the commander of the governor’s illegal gaming task force, David Barber, resigned in a letter to Riley. In the letter, Barber said he visited a “legal casino” in Mississippi and won $2,300 playing a “legal game.”
“On a recent visit to Mississippi, I visited a legal casino and won a $2,300 prize playing a legal game,” Barber wrote. “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’s resignation was dated Jan. 13 and Riley accepted the resignation on Jan. 14.
Houston County District Attorney Doug Valeska faxed Riley a letter Friday saying Barber's actions have "cast a pall over our work here in Houston County." Valeska said he was suspending his invitation to the task force "until such time as we can consider the impact on these admissions on our work. In the meantime, I trust you will suspend any further involvement in Houston County," he wrote.
Riley called the Supreme Court order a “major victory” in his fight against illegal gambling.
“The Supreme Court’s order makes clear that gambling bosses around the state will not be able to prevent the state’s antigambling laws from being enforced,” Riley said.
