Judge considers if Riley will testify

By: Associated Press | Dothan Eagle
Published: November 17, 2011

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MONTGOMERY — An attorney for indicted casino owner Milton McGregor says he wants to call former Gov. Bob Riley as a trial witness to ask if he's done things similar to what McGregor is accused of doing.

Attorney Joe Espy told a federal judge on Thursday that he would like to show whether Riley offered state projects for no votes on gambling legislation and whether he was involved in efforts by lobbyist Jack Abramoff to block gambling in Alabama. An attorney for Riley, Matt Lembke, called Espy's remarks “outrageous slander.” He said Espy failed to show that Riley has any relevant information to offer at the trial.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Wallace Capel Jr. says he will rule later on whether McGregor can call Riley as a witness in the trial starting Jan. 30.