The New York Times recently reported the Poarch Band of Creek Indians gave $350,000 to the Republican State Leadership Committee in Alabama in order to protect its gaming operations there.
The tribe donated to the committee instead of individual Republican candidates who might not have accepted contributions associated with gaming. At the time, state lawmakers were fighting non-Indian gaming expansion and the tribe was interested in the results. State Rep. Mike Hubbard helped arrange the donation. “The conversation was, ‘I’ve got some people in Alabama who are very interested in giving money to help elect Republicans to state legislatures, and I would hope that if we help raise money for you, you will help us win in Alabama,’ ” he said.
Last month the Poarch Band opened a $250 million casino expansion in Wetumpka, with more than 2,500 gambling machines, a 20-story hotel, five restaurants and a 16,000-gallon salt water aquarium. Alabama has no state tax on gambling nor gambling regulation, which opponents want to change.
