AG Luther Strange: gambling case goes forward, despite order removing him from enforcing gambling la
By Charles J. Dean | cdean@al.com AL.com
Montgomery, AL
series /series Aka Story Package gallery-preview /gallery-preview Aka Secondary Package In his first reaction to an executive order by Gov. Robert Bentley that attempts to remove him from enforcing the state's anti-gambling laws, Attorney General Luther Strange said he has been assured the order will have no impact on pending gambling litigation.
That pending case is a request by Strange to the state Supreme Court that an order of a circuit judge clearing the way for gambling to resume at VictoryLand Casino be stayed.
Strange has also appealed the ruling by Circuit Judge William Shashy clearing the way for VictoryLand to reopen before the high court.
"I have been assured by the governor's legal advisor that this executive order has no impact on the states pending litigation, which I expect will further clarify the law to the benefit of state and local law enforcement," said Strange in a prepared statement.
Strange does not address whether Bentley has the authority to tell him what state laws he will or will not enforce.
Instead Strange in the statement appears to take a conciliatory approach to what Bentley has done.
"Gov. Bentley's executive order is in line with my January 7, 2015, memo to Alabama district attorney's and local law enforcement encouraging them to investigate and enforce our anti-gambling laws," said Strange.
What Strange does not say in his statement is that in that same January letter he told DA's and sheriffs that state police would serve as a "valuable resource" in the investigation and enforcement of laws prohibiting electronic bingo.
That letter by Strange resulted in another letter: this one by Bentley to the AG telling him that state troopers would not play a leading role in enforcing gambling laws.
Bentley in his letter told Strange that state enforcement resources are limited and that the primary duty to enforce anti-gambling laws rests with sheriffs and district attorneys. Bentley goes on to to tell Strange that if local law enforcement fails to enforce the law that he, Strange, has the power to bring legal action seeking their "impeachment and removal."