The spirit of bipartisanship is alive and well in Alabama. Earlier today, 11 people, including 4 Alabama state senators, were indicted on charges of conspiracy, federal program bribery, extortion, money laundering, honest services mail and wire fraud, obstruction of justice and making a false statement, according to CNN.
Nice to know that when it's time to conduct the people's business, Democrats and Republicans can find a way to tone down the rhetoric, roll up their sleeves, and get some real work done.
You couldn't ask for anything more congenial in a working relationship - 2 Democrats, 1 Republican, and one Independent who still has ties to the Republican Party:
The state senators were identified as Larry Means, James Preuitt, Quinton Ross and Harri Anne Smith.
Means and Ross are Democrats, according to the Alabama legislature website. Preuitt is listed as a Republican. The website says Smith "served as a Republican since first being elected to the Alabama Senate" in 1998 but became an independent on June 1. The website also says she is a member of the Geneva County Republican Executive Committee and "works as a volunteer in Republican campaigns at the local and state level."
Apparently the scheme involved buying votes in order to allow bingo-style slot machines in Alabama, a policy change that would have directly benefited 2 Alabama casiono owners (who were also indicted.)
As of this writing, 7 of the 11 have been arrested, with others negotiating terms for their surrender.
The New York Times also has a story about the scandal, including this nugget:
Four state senators are charged with agreeing to accept — or in some cases, demanding — bribes in the form of campaign contributions or campaign appearances by country music stars.
...and the Country Music Award for best payoff goes to...Johnny CASH!
I've got a great title for a country song: Money Talks and Bullshit Walks. Probably already been done.
I can't wait to see a photo of one of these crooks calling numbers at Bingo night in a Federal penitentiary!