luther strange casinos african american bingo

“I have always said that Mayor Ford’s lawsuit was a legally frivolous publicity stunt, and now the federal court has agreed. He directed Strange to file for reasonable legal fees and expenses. Watkins ruled that because the complaint was frivolous that the plaintiffs’ lawyer should pay sanctions to the attorney general. For nearly a century, the state attorney general has had authority to initiate prosecutions and criminal investigations on a statewide basis,” Watkins wrote. “Second, plaintiffs’ position presumes that Attorney General Strange has no authority to enforce the state’s anti-gambling laws in Macon County. “Instead, the complaint attempts to revive a private business offering electronic bingo that has been deemed illegal by the highest court in Alabama, the highest law enforcement official in Alabama, and the chief executive officer of Alabama, its governor,” Watkins wrote. Watkins said the lawsuit “has nothing to do with the infringement of voting rights.” Keith Watkins rejected those claims in a strongly worded order. Tuskegee Mayor Johnny Ford, the chairman of the Macon County Commission and others filed the civil lawsuit, saying the actions by Strange were an illegal attempt to override the vote of African-American voters who approved a constitutional amendment to allow bingo in that county.Ĭhief U.S. MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Calling it overtly frivolous, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit that alleged Attorney General Luther Strange trampled on people's voting rights with efforts to close electronic gambling operations at VictoryLand. (AP Photo/Montgomery Advertiser, Mickey Welsh) A statement from Strange says VictoryLand is operating in 'open defiance' of laws against gambling.

Baracades are installed at the entrance to Victoryland Casino in Shorter, Ala.

Luther strange casinos african american bingo