May 18, 2013
It’s been nearly one week since Alabama’s Gambling corruption retrial ended. Now Ronnie Gilley’s attorney is speaking out.
Last Wednesday six defendants, including Victoryland owner Milton McGregor and State Senator Harri Anne Smith walked free from the federal courthouse in Montgomery. And many are questioning if Gilley is now rethinking his guilty plea.
“If he had it to do over again, he’d do the same thing he did. There’s no question about that,” says his attorney, David Harrison.
The Country Crossing developer cut a deal with the government last April. He pleaded guilty to 11 criminal charges including conspiracy, money laundering and bribery.
Gilley became the prosecution’s key witness in two trials.
“In this case there were seven lawyers that cross examined. He went through a very aggressive and vigorous cross examination. I never saw him get upset. The only time I saw him really get upset is when they talked about him being a racist,” says Harrison
Gilley’s attorney said that was a lie. In fact, Gilley was honored with a lifetime achievement award in 2010 by the Coffee County NAACP.
Now he faces the possibility of 20 years in prison. Even after two trials, the government has no convictions.
“Mr. Gilley realized it wasn’t between him and the defendants. It wasn’t that he had to have a conviction. Mr. Gilley entered into an agreement with the government to tell the truth and to testify. That’s it, not to convict them,” says Harrison.
There is a sign the corruption investigation isn’t over just yet.
The government has asked the judge to delay Gilley’s sentencing from April to August, saying they will need his cooperation in the future. This could mean there are more charges in the works, but we couldn’t confirm that at this time.
Lobbyist, Jennifer Pouncy and former State Representative Terry Spicer who pleaded guilty last year are set to be sentenced next month.
