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Alabama Christian Coalition Linked to Federal Investigation28 September 2004ALABAMA – As reported by the WSFA TV: "Alabama's Christian Coalition, one of the most prominent lobbying groups in town, could be involved in a congressional investigation this Wednesday. The U.S. Senate's Indian Affairs committee wants to know how Indian casino money is being used and spent. "Federal officials have assembled a task force to investigate alleged misuse of Indian Tribal funds, possible illegal campaign contributions, possible tax evasion as well as, millions of dollars the Indian casinos allegedly paid to a lobbyist and a public reactions executive to stop any gambling interests that might be competition to the Indian casinos. This is where the Christian Coalition comes in. "For years, the head of Alabama's Christian Coalition John Giles has been putting money where his mouth is. He has been a major player in defeating most gambling proposals in the state legislature, and for years he's been saying none of the money for that fight came from Mississippi casinos. "…Several newspapers have reported that money from the Mississippi casinos may have made its way to Alabama and into the hands of John Giles. The allegations are the Indian casinos across the county paid two people at least $45,000,000 to stop all their gambling competition. Most of that money $31,000,000 allegedly went to a public relations executive Michael Scanlon to lead the fight. He then reportedly paid a man who has fought gambling for years - the former head of the national Christian Coalition, Ralph Reed, almost $4,000,000 for his help. It is believed some of that money went to John Giles to defeat gambling in Alabama so that wouldn't be competition to gambling in Mississippi…" |