By Alabama candidates for governor spar over gambling
Montgomery, AL – Democrat Ron Sparks says his opponent
for governor, Republican Robert Bentley, is not telling the truth
when he says he hasn't received campaign contributions from
gambling interests.
Sparks cites $5,000 Bentley received from a political action
committee started by Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour. That PAC has
received a small part of its money from two casino operators and a
gambling machine manufacturer. Sparks on Wednesday also cited
$20,000 that Bentley got from Tuscaloosa businessman Paul Bryant
Jr., who has long been involved in the dog racing business.
Bentley says he hasn't solicited or received contributions from
the gaming industry. He says Barbour's PAC gave him money because
Barbour supports other southern Republican governors. He says
Bryant is a family friend who is no longer involved in Alabama's
Greenetrack.