FOX6 News Reporter Alan Collins tells me the first people have arrived and left for a federal grand jury in Montgomery.

Alan and other reporters observed lobbyist John Teague, Tom Coker and communications consultant Rick Heartsill entering the federal courthouse with what appeared to be documents, though none offered any detail of why they were there.

“I am here to provide some information”, Heartsill would only say to reporters.

Upon leaving, Teague told reporters he was asked about political action committees, but says he has no knowledge of improper offers or corrpution. Coker offered “no comment.”

Also showing up today, without an “invitation,” Republican candidate for governor Bill Johnson.

Alan says Johnson “showed up, he walked in, then apparently walked back out.”

The one-time aide to Gov. Bob Riley says he is asking prosecutors to look into “outside gambling interests influencing public policy.” It’s the same story he has repeated before. He claims out-of-state casino money has driven anti-gambling efforts in the state, pointing in particular to Riley and his administration.

The governor, a gambling opponent, and his staff have strongly denied the claims. The governor’s spokesman, Jeff Emerson, tells Alan that Johnson is “a fringe candidate… he is a nutjob.”

Emerson also says Johnson is “going tell a bunch of lies to get on television.”

Many witnesses are expected to appear this week.

Sen. Priscilla Dunn (D-Bessemer) was originally scheduled for today, but says she was told to wait until tomorrow.

“They say there are so many there today,” Dunn told me this afternoon.

House Speaker Seth Hammett (D-Andalusia) is also expected tomorrow.

Representatives confirming a subpoena for this week include Republican Mac Gipson of Prattville, Democrat Craig Ford of  Gadsden. Senators include Republican Scott Beason of Gardendale, Republican Paul Sandford of Huntsville, Democrat Phil Poole of  Moundville and Democrat Linda Coleman of Birmingham. None of those called has indicated they have been told they are targets of an investigation.

The federal grand jury follows a meeting last month with Hammett and other legislative leaders, both Republican and Democrat, in which federal investigators told them of possible corruption dealing with an e-bingo bill.

The proposed constitutional amendment passed the Senate, but failed to garner enough support for a vote in the House in the final days of the session.

This morning on FOX6 News Good Day Alabama, Birmingham attorney Roger Appell called revelations about the probe last month unusual.

Read more of Rick Journey’s blogs here.

Filed under: Legislature