Governor Riley picks a law and order crusader to be his new Illegal Gambling Task Force Commander – replacing former commander David Barber – who resigned after admitting he won $2,300 in a Mississippi casino.  Here’s the release from the Governor’s office…check out the links in the story for more.

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Governor Bob Riley on Monday announced he has appointed Mobile County District Attorney John Tyson to serve as commander of the Task Force on Illegal Gambling. The announcement took place Monday morning at the State Capitol. 

Tyson was appointed to the position of Mobile County DA in 1994 by Governor Jim Folsom and was elected to continue his service as DA in 1998 and 2004.

 Click here to view Governor Riley’s remarks and click here to view District Attorney Tyson’s remarks made at the announcement.

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Hold the phone!  There’s been yet ANOTHER development in the bingo battle in southeast Alabama.  Tonight, WSFA 12 News obtained a copy of a letter faxed to Governor Bob Riley from Houston County District Attorney Doug Valeska.  The DA had asked the governor for assistance in his investigation of the bingo operation at Country Crossing near Dothan.  In the letter, Valeska writes that he’s aware of the resignation of Task Force Commander David Barber after he won $2,300 gambling at a casino in Mississippi.  Valeska says Barber’s actions “cast a pall over our work here in Houston County.” 

The District Attorney writes, “You have stated numerous times that your Task Force’s involvement here was based on my invitation and request for assistance.  In light of these developments, I am asking that you deem my invitation suspended until such time as we can consider the impact of these admission on our work.”  Valeska concluded by writing, “In the meantime, I trust you will suspend any further involvement in Houston County.”

Earlier Friday (1/15), the Alabama Supreme Court threw out a restraining order that blocked the Task Force from raiding Country Crossing.  Late Friday afternoon a federal judge denied a request from Houston County Commission Chairman Mark Culver for another restraining order to keep the agents out of the newly opened facility.

WSFA 12 News is attempting to get reaction from the Governor’s office.  We’ll advise on any further developments.

Democratic gubernatorial hopeful and current Agriculture and Industries Commissioner Ron Sparks blasts Governor Bob Riley and others opposed to gambling in the state.  Read Sparks’ remarks regarding the resignation of the governor’s gambling task force here:

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“Just yesterday I asked Governor Riley if he were going to stop the people of Alabama from crossing the state line into Mississippi to gamble. And today we learn that the Commander of the Governor’s Task Force on Illegal Gambling has resigned because he won thousands of dollars gambling at a Mississippi casino.  This just proves the hypocrisy of those who want to kill Alabama jobs and rob our children and seniors of important revenue.  We have a Governor who takes Mississippi gambling money while his anti-gambling czar gambles in Mississippi. 
 
“David Barbour takes his Alabama money and goes to Mississippi to help educate Mississippi children and help create jobs for Mississippi workers.  That money needs to stay in Alabama and help us, not them.  You elect me Governor, and I will bring an education lottery to Alabama, protect Alabama jobs, and finally make gaming pay its fair share of taxes, just like the rest of us. I am the only candidate for Governor who has a plan to increase revenue without taxing the hardworking people of Alabama.
 
“Governor Riley, instead of raiding Country Crossing, you should raid your own task force.  They are the ones hurting Alabama jobs – not Country Crossing.  I will stop this nonsense when I am Governor.  What will you do, Artur Davis?”

Governor Bob Riley has accepted the resignation of his Illegal Gambling Task force commander David Barber after he won a big payoff at a Mississippi casino.  Here’s the brief statement from the Governor’s Office and an excerpt from Barber’s resignation letter.

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MONTGOMERY – Governor Bob Riley has accepted the resignation of David Barber as commander of the Task Force on Illegal Gambling. Mr. Barber’s resignation is effective upon the appointment of a successor to the position.

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In his letter of resignation addressed to Gov. Bob Riley, Barber writes that he won $2,300 on a legal game at a Mississippi casino during a recent visit.  Barber writes that he felt like “forces that operate illegal casinos in Alabama will focus on my actions as part of their continuing effort to smear you and your Task Force.  The work of the Task Force is too important to allow it to be impeded by such distractions.”

Click here to read the letter from Gov. Riley.