Federal investigators are holding a 10:00 am news conference today, announcing that a Federal Grand Jury has handed down a basketload of indictments alleging corruption in connection with efforts to pass gambling legislation during the 2010 legislative session.
The probe began last Spring, and federal investigators began notifying potential targets of their status in July.
Arrests are underway today, statewide.
Al.com has the story:
FBI agents swept across Alabama this morning arresting state lawmakers and lobbyists as part of a federal probe into efforts to pass gambling legislation last spring.
The biggest name arrested so far has been VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor, who was arrested at his Montgomery home this morning.
Also arrested today have been state senators Jim Preuitt, R-Talladega, Quinton Ross, D-Montgomery, Larry Means, D-Attalla, Harri Anne Smith, I -- Slocomb and Montgomery lobbyist Jerrod Massey.
…
Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer and FBI Assistant Director Kevin Perkins are holding a press conference at 10 am central time at Department of Justice headquarters in downtown Washington D.C., where details are expected about the public corruption investigation in Alabama.
Harri Anne Smith was apparently the first arrested. FBI agents were visiting searching MacGregor's home at about the same time (approximately 8:00 am CDT). MacGregor was then arrested.
This is still breaking. I'll update as more comes in.
Update I: In response to reader email: None of the Alabama gubernatorial, congressional or senatorial candidates are involved in this probe. The probe focused only on attempts to influence voting in the state legislature.
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