Alabama Gov. Bob Riley sued by officials from Greene and Macon counties over bingo raids

MONTGOMERY — Several public officials and residents from Greene and Macon counties have gone to federal court to try to block any more raids by the governor’s gambling task force at Greenetrack and Victoryland.

The suit filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Birmingham accuses Gov. Bob Riley and task force commander John Tyson of nullifying votes by the citizens of Macon and Greene counties to approve electronic bingo. It also accuses Riley of discriminating against African-American citizens.

The plaintiffs include members of the Greene and Macon county commissions, state Sen. Bobby Singleton and state Rep. A.J. McCampbell.

Riley’s spokesman, Jeff Emerson, said the task force has enforced gambling laws statewide and hasn’t targeted any group. He also says the suit mischaracterizes the votes because they only authorized ordinary bingo games.