King Says Investigation Into AG's Office Has Ended
12/03/10 13:57
**UPDATE: The Decatur Daily agrees with me.**
Alabama Attorney General Troy King says a federal grand jury investigation of him and his office has ended. For the full story, click here.
Rumors have been flying around Alabama for the last month of a major FBI investigation of officials in Alabama. Because of King's already open investigation, and because of his documented ties to the gambling cartel in Alabama, it was speculated that King may have been one of the targets of that investigation. I'm not sure what this news means in terms of the rumored investigation, or if King was, in fact, a target.
In my opinion, AG Troy King has skirted the ethical line one too many times. For instance, King was featured as a special guest at this event hosted by Ronnie Gilley, owner of Country Crossings (which operates an "electronic bingo" hall), three months before issuing a ruling clearing the way for Gilley to get a gambling permit.
Enterprise Fundraiser Invite
King has had country singer Randy Owen doing $500 per plate fundraisers for his re-election campaign. Owen has a large financial stake in the Country Crossings devleopment--site preperation has already started on the "Randy Owen My Home's in Alabama Family Entertainment Center" at the venue.
His ties with Gilley and Country Crossings have netted him a relationship with several country music stars other than Owen. Here's King is pictured with Ronnie Gilley and country singer George Jones:
And if all that is not enough, during the 2006 election cycle, King received two campaign contributions totaling $1500 from Crum Foshee & Associates during the 2006 election cycle. Crum Foshee and Associates have represented several gambling facilites including the Jefferson County Racing Association and the Macon County Greyhound Park.
At best, these are conflicts of interest that should have prevented King from ruling on or regulating these entities. He is walking very, very fine eithical lines. The mere fact that the AG's office was under investigation is embarrassing for the state and presumably for the Attorney General. So while Troy King may be celebrating the end of a grand jury investigation, he should be worried about what the voters will think come June 1.
Alabama Attorney General Troy King says a federal grand jury investigation of him and his office has ended. For the full story, click here.
Rumors have been flying around Alabama for the last month of a major FBI investigation of officials in Alabama. Because of King's already open investigation, and because of his documented ties to the gambling cartel in Alabama, it was speculated that King may have been one of the targets of that investigation. I'm not sure what this news means in terms of the rumored investigation, or if King was, in fact, a target.
In my opinion, AG Troy King has skirted the ethical line one too many times. For instance, King was featured as a special guest at this event hosted by Ronnie Gilley, owner of Country Crossings (which operates an "electronic bingo" hall), three months before issuing a ruling clearing the way for Gilley to get a gambling permit.
Enterprise Fundraiser Invite
King has had country singer Randy Owen doing $500 per plate fundraisers for his re-election campaign. Owen has a large financial stake in the Country Crossings devleopment--site preperation has already started on the "Randy Owen My Home's in Alabama Family Entertainment Center" at the venue.
His ties with Gilley and Country Crossings have netted him a relationship with several country music stars other than Owen. Here's King is pictured with Ronnie Gilley and country singer George Jones:
And if all that is not enough, during the 2006 election cycle, King received two campaign contributions totaling $1500 from Crum Foshee & Associates during the 2006 election cycle. Crum Foshee and Associates have represented several gambling facilites including the Jefferson County Racing Association and the Macon County Greyhound Park.
At best, these are conflicts of interest that should have prevented King from ruling on or regulating these entities. He is walking very, very fine eithical lines. The mere fact that the AG's office was under investigation is embarrassing for the state and presumably for the Attorney General. So while Troy King may be celebrating the end of a grand jury investigation, he should be worried about what the voters will think come June 1.
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