Gilley said Mississippi gaming project would be 'Country Crossing times 25'

3:50 p.m. – Ronnie Gilley told potential investors in a Mississippi gambling project that his development in Mississippi would be “Country Crossing Alabama times 25.”

Conversations recorded between Gilley and potential investors in March of 2010 indicate Gilley intended to develop a Country Crossing-type venue in Mississippi, but added that the Mississippi project would be larger because of legalized gambling in Mississippi.

“It’s going to be much bigger, full casinos and everything,” Gilley said.

During one conversation, Gilley told a potential investor that a land contract had already been signed.

Bill Baxley, attorney for lobbyist Tom Coker, called the Mississippi project a “scheme” and accused Gilley of trying to mislead investors.

Gilley and Baxley sparred repeatedly during cross examination Wednesday afternoon. Gilley became agitated with Baxley’s questions and repeatedly said Baxley’s “characterizations were inaccurate.” Baxley repeatedly asked Judge Myron Thompson to scold Gilley for giving narratives during his answers.

The Mississippi development did not come to fruition.

12:15 p.m. – The attorney for Sen. Harri Anne Smith suggested Wednesday that Ronnie Gilley was “out to get” Smith for a perceived lack of loyalty.

Smith attorney William White played a recording of a March, 2010, conversation between Smith and then-Rep. Benjamin Lewis in which Lewis said he believed Gilley was a crook and a snake.

“You were upset she didn’t correct Mr. Lewis and you’re here to get her back today, aren’t you?” White asked.

“Absolutely not,” Gilley responded.

White also suggested Gilley’s support of Smith’s campaign had more to do with his dislike of her former supporters than his intention to bribe her and use her to bribe others.

Smith attorney William White questioned Gilley for three hours Wednesday morning, some of which dealt with a fundraiser Gilley held for Smith in December of 2009. Gilley reported more than $217,000 in in-kind donations resulting from the fundraiser held on the BamaJam Festival grounds.

White suggested that Gilley wanted to “make a statement” to past supporters of Smith including John Watson, John Downs and George Flowers. Smith lost the financial support of those and others after she switched her position on Country Crossing.

Gilley denied White’s assertion.

Gilley also denied White’s assertion that he inflated the numbers on the December 2009 fundraiser and used the opportunity to offset the costs of the grand opening event at Country Crossing, held a few days later.

Gilley said he considered the 2009 fundraiser a bribe, and that Smith understood the fundraiser and other donations made by Gilley or through Gilley were for her support of pro-gambling legislation and for her efforts to bring other legislators to the table.

Gilley said he believed some of the money used to pay for the 2009 fundraiser came from McGregor, but White showed bank records that indicated the most recent money wired to his account was $5 million from an investor from Columbus, Ga.

White also asked Gilley about statements he made in which he said his support of Smith was “unconditional.”

Gilley said his use of the word meant unequivocal.

“She knew the conditions,” Gilley said.

White also focused on a March 11, 2010, call between Gilley and Smith in which Gilley said Smith asked him for $400,000 to finish out her campaign.

White suggested the call meant something else.

On the recording, Smith can be heard saying “You told me you had some people who …”

At that point, Gilley interrupted and asked Smith what she needed.

Smith told Gilley she needed $400,000.

Later, Smith is heard saying “Anything you can do to help …”

“So Senator Smith wasn’t asking you for $400,000, she was saying there were people who could help, is that right?” White asked.

“Those are your words,” Gilley replied.

White countered Gilley’s testimony that he used her to pressure legislators and solicit bribes for other legislators by referring back to the March, 2010, conversation between Smith and Lewis.

“You have to feel it in your heart,” Smith tells Lewis. “If you don’t feel it in your heart, don’t vote for it.”

Testimony continues in the afternoon with cross examination from Ron Wise, attorney for Jim Preuitt.

10:20 a.m. – Ronnie Gilley testified Wednesday morning that Sen. Harri Anne Smith was in the middle of several bribe solicitations in 2009 and 2010.

“Senator Smith was by and far the biggest recruiting lobbyist we had in Montgomery, by far,” Gilley said during cross examination by Smith’s attorney, William White.

According to Gilley, Smith approached him on multiple occasions in 2009 and 2010 to ask him for campaign contributions and other things of value for several different senators she believed could provide favorable votes on pro-gambling legislation.

According to Gilley:

» Smith sought $500,000 in campaign donations for Sen. Scott Beason from Gilley and VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor in early 2009 in exchange for his support of pro-gambling legislation.

“She is the one who orchestrated the whole ordeal for Sen. Beason. Please make a note of that for the record,” Gilley said.

» Smith asked Gilley if he would be willing to pay off the home mortgage for Sen. Kim Benefield in 2009.

» Smith asked Gilley if he would be willing to insure Country Crossing through Sen. Steve French in exchange for his vote, or donate $200,000 to his campaign.

“There were several legislators that she proposed we contribute money to her campaign fund, allow her to build a war chest and she would get money to those legislators,” Gilley said.

White asked Gilley repeatedly about the dates and times of conversations Gilley said he had with Smith and others. Gilley said he could not remember the dates and times, but suggested White produce toll records that could back up his claims.

White also asked Gilley why the most substantial allegations against Smith occurred during conversations that were not picked up on government wiretaps.

“Out of all the calls you heard, would you agree you never heard you and Sen. Smith discussing funneling $200,000 to any candidate?” White asked.

“I would, other than to her,” Gilley responded.

White also played a recording of a Feb. 8, 2010 meeting Gilley had with Beason, McGregor, and lobbyist Jarrod Massey in which Gilley is heard saying, on three occasions, he had never asked Smith for anything.

Gilley said he was lying to Beason because he did not trust him.

9:05 a.m. -- Testimony is underway in the gambling corruption retrial Wednesday. William White, attorney for Sen. Harri Anne Smith, continues his cross examination of Ronnie Gilley.

White questioned Gilley for about three hours Tuesday, exploring several different areas including the time Gilley was jailed in 2011 for violating the terms of his pre-trial release.

Below is the timeline of Gilley’s incarceration.

» 10-3-10: Gilley arrested along with 11 others and released on bond.

» 2-7-11: Judge determines Gilley violated the terms of his bond by offering a bribe to Jarrod Massey. Gilley is taken to the Montgomery Municipal Jail.

» 4-7-11: Judge denies Gilley’s last motion to be released from jail until trial.

» 4-13-11: Gilley makes his first proffer (statement) to federal investigators.

» 4-15,19,21: Gilley makes additional proffers to investigators

» 4-22-11: Gilley enters a plea agreement with the government.

» 4-25-11: Gilley released from Montgomery Municipal Jail

During questioning Tuesday, White asked Gilley if his poor experience in jail led him to form a strategy to get out of prison.

“The only strategy I have in contrast to what you are insinuating is to get up here and tell the truth and close this chapter in my life,” Gilley said.

After White, Gilley will be cross examined by Bill Baxley, attorney for Tom Coker and Ron Wise, attorney for Jim Preuitt. Susan James, attorney for Jay Walker, will have additional time to conclude her cross examination. The government will then have the opportunity to question Gilley again.