MONTGOMERY, Ala., Dec. 20 (UPI) -- Former lobbyist Jarrod Massey pleaded guilty Monday to conspiring to bribe Alabama lawmakers for their votes on pro-gambling legislation.
Massey, 39, of Montgomery, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit federal program bribery and five counts of federal program bribery, the U.S. Justice Department said in a release.
Massey and 10 co-defendants were named in a 39-count indictment handed up by a federal grand jury Oct. 1. The other defendants include two Alabama state legislators, two former state lawmakers, two lobbyists, two business owners and one of their employees, and an employee of the Alabama Legislature.
"Jarrod Massey has admitted that he bribed members of the Alabama state Legislature in exchange for their votes in favor of electronic bingo gambling legislation," Assistant U.S. Attorney General Lanny Breuer said. "In a democracy, votes should be cast on the merits and in the best interests of constituents, and not influenced by bribes and the possibility of personal gain. Mr. Massey has admitted his wrongdoing, and will now face the consequences of his corrupt conduct."
Massey owned the Montgomery lobbying firm Mantra Governmental, whose largest client was Ronald E. Gilley, who owned a controlling interest in Country Crossing, an entertainment and gambling development in Houston County, Ala.
Massey, who is to be sentenced Sept. 26, offered bribes of up to $1 million to key lawmakers, federal authorities said.
