Ford to Seek Federal Help to Keep VictoryLand Open
In a news conference carried Exclusively on Alabama News Network at Noon, Tuskegee Mayor Johnny Ford says he will seek federal help to keep electronic bingo machines operating at VictoryLand. As Alabama News Network was first to report on television yesterday, Gov. Robert Bentley and Attorney General Luther Strange have sent letters to the sheriff and district attorney in Macon County to say that the machines are illegal.
Ford says he’s planning to meet with U.S. Attorney George Beck of Alabama’s Middle District. Ford says he has sent Beck and the U.S. Attorney General a letter outlining his argument that shutting down electronic bingo violates voting, civil and equal protection rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.
Ford says he’s sent letters to Bentley and Strange outlining his stance. He says he hopes the U.S. Justice Department will intervene.
Bentley and Strange says that constitutional amendments that voters approved only allow for traditional bingo games and not electronic bingo, which they say constitutes an illegal lottery. They have given Macon Co. Sheriff Andre Brunson and District Attorney E. Paul Jones until Friday, Sept. 30 to outline a plan of action.
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