Ala. vote-buying probe nets ex-aide to Ga. House speaker
Jarrell “Jay” Walker Jr., a former aide to ex-House Speaker Glenn Richardson, was among 11 people charged today in an alleged scheme by gambling interests to buy Alabama lawmakers’ votes. Walker and others allegedly offered such inducements as illicit political contributions, campaign appearances by country music stars and payments to persuade prospective electoral opponents to withdraw — all in a failed effort to legalize electronic bingo machines in Alabama.
Ex-Dodge sheriff charged with buying votes with cash, liquor & drugs
Cash, alcohol and — gasp! — drugs were used to buy votes on behalf of former Dodge County Sheriff Lawton Douglas in 2004, a federal indictment alleges. Douglas, who served one term and was defeated for re-election last year, and two others will be arraigned Thursday in Dublin on vote-buying charges. He faces up to 30 years in prison.