Greene County Sheriff Defends Bingo Fund Usage Amid Controversy
Greene County Sheriff Jonathan Bennison has taken a stand regarding the recent accusations about his handling of charity bingo funds, specifically allegations of nearly $5 million in expenditures. He expressed that the Office of Public Accounts should feel “ashamed” for these claims.
In a press release, Bennison connected a recent audit report—which raised questions about questionable spending and missing documents—to ongoing tensions between local bingo operators and state authorities. He dismissed the allegations, asserting they lacked merit and stated that he had presented ample documentation to justify the expenditures to state officials.
“It’s unfortunate that this vendetta from the Montgomery Army continues, despite my documentation that supports the millions spent for the benefit of Greene County residents,” Bennison mentioned. “The Attorney General’s lawsuit, which spanned seven years, has concluded by reinforcing my constitutional authority as the primary regulator of bingo in Greene County.”
“Here we go again. The Comptroller of Public Accounts has put out a report that questions, among other things, funding for scholarships provided to every high school senior in Greene County and payments to our county’s legislators. They should be ashamed. I didn’t back down during the lawsuit, and I won’t now,” he continued.
The conflict between state officials and Greene County extends back, particularly regarding the legality of electronic bingo establishments in the area. While various lower court rulings and county constitutional amendments have supported the legality of these machines, the Alabama Supreme Court has consistently interpreted the bingo laws in a way that deems them illegal.
This discrepancy has fueled a protracted clash between the Attorney General’s office and bingo operators in Greene County and other areas that have adopted similar constitutional measures to permit casinos.
This dynamic has created a peculiar situation where seasoned politicians find themselves in opposition. Bennison, like his predecessors, asserts the amendment that positions the sheriff as the governing authority over county bingo. Conversely, the National Police Agency seems to be pressuring sheriffs to eliminate competition, resulting in critiques of their perceived neglect of duty.
Even though the AG’s office has seen some successes in other counties, Greene County officials have shown remarkable resilience in resisting external pressures. Several bingo casinos continue to operate within the county, and after the recent legal defeat, it seems the AG’s office has shifted focus away from trying to hinder them.
However, states have sought alternative strategies to challenge bingo businesses through different regulatory angles. A few years back, the Alabama Department of Revenue initiated legal action against GreeneTrack, a once-operational bingo casino, alleging millions in owed taxes. Despite the fundamentally flawed basis of this claim and its politically charged nature, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that GreeneTrack had to pay the disputed sums, leading the casino to bankruptcy and eventual closure.
Bennison’s interpretation suggests that the latest audit findings mirror this history, yet his office has not shared specific details outlining what the approximately $5 million covered. According to the audit, some of the expenditures went toward consultants, attorneys, and staff from the sheriff’s office.
