Campaign contributions Poarch Creek Indians lottery

�� 13 Investigates: Poarch Creek lottery lobbying influence

Some lawmakers have received more than $100,000

�� 13 Investigates: Poarch Creek lottery lobbying influence

Some lawmakers have received more than $100,000

SWAY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT? JON: THE PORCH CREEK INDIANS HAVE MADE MORE THAN $5 MILLION IN CAMPAIGN DONATIONS. WE DRILLED THAT MONEY DOWN TO SPECIFIC LAWMAKERS AND HERE IS WHAT WE UNCOVERED. WHEN THE MEGA MILLIONS JACKPOT TOPPED $1 BILLION WE EXAMINED WHY ALABAMA IS ONLY EASTERN STATE WITHOUT A LOTTERY. JIM MCLENDON SAID IT'S NOT BECAUSE OF A LACK OF TRYING. HE CLAIMS SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS SPECIFICALLY THE PORCH CREEK INDIANS HAVE STOOD IN THE WAY >> I THINK IT'S HELPFUL TO LOOK IN THE SECRETARY OF STATES'S WEBSITE AND SEE WHAT KIND OF CONTRIBUTIONS ARE BEING MADE FROM THESE GAMBLING INTERESTS. >> SO WE DID. WE SPENT DAYS POURING OVER HUNDREDS OF CAMPAIGN RECORDS. WE FOUND OVER THE LAST DECADES, THE TRIBE HAS GIVEN $1 MILLION TO STATE LAWMAKERS. WHEN WE REACHED OUT TO THE GROUP, THEIR SPOKESPERSON SAID THE TRIBE PARTICIPATES IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS AS ALLOWED. THE VAST MAJORITY SUPPORT A COMPREHENSIVE GAMING PLAN. THE STATE LEGISLATORS NEED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. A SIMPLE LOTTERY BILL WILL NOT ADDRESS OUR NEEDS. ERICA COLEMAN HAS SERVED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR 20 YEARS. >> DOES THAT NUMBER SURPRISE YOU THAT THAT MANY LAWMAKERS HAVE RECEIVED MONEY? >> IT DOESN'T SURPRISE ME BECAUSE MOST SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS WILL TRY TO GIVE A CAMPAIGN DONATION TO MOST OF THE LEGISLATURE >> COLEMAN HERSELF WAS GIVEN $5,000 FROM THE GROUP THIS YEAR. CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION FOR ME TO MERICKA COLEMAN DOESN'T INFLUENCE ANY VOTE AT ALL >> RECIPIENTS TOM WATLEY, REP ALBRITTON AND AIINSWORTH. THE STRIKE IS A MAJOR ECONOMIC ENGINE IN HIS DISTRICT. >> THEY'RE A BIG ENTITY THERE. AND THEY'RE ALL IN MY -- IN MY COUNTY THAT IS I REPRESENT. AND I'M PROUD TO REPRESENT THEM. >> HE BELIEVES SPECIAL INTEREST ACROSS ALABAMA AND BEYOND STATE LINES HAVE PLAYED A ROLE IN OUR LOTTERY FAILURES. >> AS PECK OF BLAMING P.C.I. FOR NOT HAVING A LOTTERY IS A MISDIRECTION. >> UNTIL ENOUGH LAWMAKERS HEADED IN THE SAME DIRECTION, ALABAMA DOLLARS WILL CONTINUE TO LEAVE THE STATE. JON: WE REACHED OUT TO TOM WATL

�� 13 Investigates: Poarch Creek lottery lobbying influence

Some lawmakers have received more than $100,000

Our research shows that two-thirds of the Alabama Legislature, more than 100 lawmakers, have received campaign cash from the Poarch Band of the Creek Indians. One veteran lawmaker tells �� 13 that special gambling interests are keeping lottery legislation from passing in Montgomery. Learn more in the video above."I think it's helpful to look in the secretary of state's website and see what kind of contributions are being made from these gambling interests," said Sen. Jim McClendon, a Republican from Springville, Alabama. �� 13 poured over hundreds of campaign finance records from the past decade and discovered the Tribe has contributed more than $1 million in direct campaign donations to state lawmakers. The Tribe responded to �� 13's request for comment on its political donations with the following statement: "The Tribe participates in the political process as allowed. Our polling shows that the vast majority of Alabamians support a comprehensive gaming plan. The State Legislators need to address the entire issue; a simple lottery bill will not generate the revenue our state needs."State Rep. Merika Coleman, a Democrat from Birmingham who received a $5,000 donation from the Tribe this year, said the campaign cash does not sway her decision-making. "A campaign contribution for me, to Merika Coleman, does not influence my vote at all," Coleman said. The state lawmakers who have accepted the most money from the Tribe are outgoing Sen. Tom Whatley, Sen. Greg Albritton and Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, all three of whom are Republicans. Ainsworth is the presiding officer of the Alabama Senate who has tie-breaking voting power. Albritton said the Tribe is a major economic engine in his south Alabama district. Albritton said he believes special interests across the state and beyond state lines have played a role in recent legislative lottery failures. "They are a big entity there," Albritton said. "And they are all in the counties that I represent. And I'm proud to represent them."Albritton said blaming the Tribe for not having a lottery in Alabama "is a misdirection."

"I think it's helpful to look in the secretary of state's website and see what kind of contributions are being made from these gambling interests," said Sen. Jim McClendon, a Republican from Springville, Alabama.

�� 13 poured over hundreds of campaign finance records from the past decade and discovered the Tribe has contributed more than $1 million in direct campaign donations to state lawmakers.

The Tribe responded to �� 13's request for comment on its political donations with the following statement:

"The Tribe participates in the political process as allowed. Our polling shows that the vast majority of Alabamians support a comprehensive gaming plan. The State Legislators need to address the entire issue; a simple lottery bill will not generate the revenue our state needs."

State Rep. Merika Coleman, a Democrat from Birmingham who received a $5,000 donation from the Tribe this year, said the campaign cash does not sway her decision-making.

"A campaign contribution for me, to Merika Coleman, does not influence my vote at all," Coleman said.

The state lawmakers who have accepted the most money from the Tribe are outgoing Sen. Tom Whatley, Sen. Greg Albritton and Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, all three of whom are Republicans. Ainsworth is the presiding officer of the Alabama Senate who has tie-breaking voting power.

Albritton said the Tribe is a major economic engine in his south Alabama district. Albritton said he believes special interests across the state and beyond state lines have played a role in recent legislative lottery failures.

"They are a big entity there," Albritton said. "And they are all in the counties that I represent. And I'm proud to represent them."

Albritton said blaming the Tribe for not having a lottery in Alabama "is a misdirection."