Attorney General’s Office Appeals Victoryland Case Dismissal
People in Macon County are ready to move forward to reopen Victoryland Casino. That’s after a judge dismissed the state’s lawsuit against the casino. Attorney General Luther Strange is appealing that decision. That could change the conversation about Victoryland’s future.
The AG had 42 days to appeal the ruling of a judge appointed by the Alabama Supreme Court. His office filed the paperwork on the first day, but people in Macon County say they want to move forward to reopen the casino.
“That whole area benefits the surrounding area. It’s in Shorter, but it benefits all of us, because it’s in Macon County, so we expect that whole area to really be a booming area,” said Tuskegee Mayor Johnny Ford.
He wants to see owner Milton McGregor expand the casino, adding a convention center to attract big names in entertainment.
Ford says if the lights come back at Victoryland, it will mean much more than a lucky few hitting the jackpot.
“Victoryland’s reopening sends a signal to the business and commercial world, we’re open and ready for business. Yes, we’re going to not only bring it back, it’s going to be bigger than ever before.”
We spoke to Joe Espy, the attorney for Victoryland owner Milton McGregor. He told us he’s surprised the attorney general filed the appeal so quickly, and he called the action “premature” and a waste of taxpayer money.
Alabama News Network reached out to Attorney General Luther Strange’s office for comment on the appeal, but we have not heard back.
