Former (Bobby) Bright Donors Among Those Caught in Ala. Bribery Probe

CQ Politics ^ | 10/6/2010 | John McArdle

[Qbert]

Rep. Bobby Bright (D) has received campaign donations from at least three of the 11 individuals indicted this week in a FBI bribery probe in Alabama while a fourth defendant was a key supporter during his 2008 Congressional campaign.

Bright’s connection to some of the defendants date back to his previous service as mayor of Montgomery. The freshman Congressman is currently in the middle of a tough re-election fight in his battleground district that is a top target for national Republicans this cycle.

Bright’s campaign said Wednesday that the past donations have nothing to do with the scheme to buy and sell votes of state lawmakers in an effort to make electronic bingo legal in the state.

“In 11 years in public office, Congressman Bright has received thousands of contributions from people across Alabama, many of whom contribute to both Republicans and Democrats,” spokesman Lewis Lowe said Wednesday. “They are supporting Congressman Bright’s policies and leadership, not the other way around. Congressman Bright does not condone illegal activity of any kind and believes the jury will be the ultimate arbiter of innocence or guilt for those recently indicted.”

The FBI probe also swept up state Rep. Harri Anne Smith (I), who threw her support behind Bright in his 2008 race after losing a bitter GOP primary. Bright has been supporting Smith for re-election this year. She’s running as an Independent because Republicans denied her access to the GOP line in large part because of her decision to endorse Bright.

Earlier this week, Bright was asked asked about the indictment of Smith on local television and he called the timing of the charges “suspicious.”

Of those who have been indicted, Bright received a $1,000 donation from influential Alabama lobbyist Robert Geddie in 2003 and another $500 donation from Geddie in 2007. Alabama gambling magnate Milton McGregor gave Bright a $1,000 donation in 2007, while lobbyist Tom Coker cut Bright a $1,000 check during his 2008 Congressional bid.

But Bright was not the only one to receive money from those indicted this week. Bright’s GOP challenger, Montgomery City Councilwoman Martha Roby, took a donation in 2003 from a political action committee that Geddie served as the treasurer for. Meanwhile at least six of the 11 defendants in the case have made donations to other federal candidates in the past two cycles, according to Federal Election Commission records. Several of those individuals gave to both Republicans and Democrats. Coker was one of the most active contributors of the group. He’s given about $24,000 to federal candidates and political action committees since 2007, including donations to 5th district Democratic candidate Steve Raby and both of the state’s Republican Senators.

Despite ties to some Republican candidates, state GOP officials didn’t miss the chance to take a shot at Bright for his connections to the FBI probe.

“Bright certainly doesn’t mind taking money from people he claims he doesn’t agree with like [Speaker] Nancy Pelosi [D-Calif.], [Rep.] Charlie B. Rangel [D-N.Y.] and the [Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee],” said state party spokesman Philip Bryan. “He has a history of enjoying their money but saying he doesn’t agree with them. Bright’s fence sitting days are hopefully coming to an end.”

Earlier this week, National Democratic strategists were quick to blast out a story about how one of the men caught up in the Alabama case was a top strategist for Georgia Republican candidate Mike Keown, who is challenging Rep. Sanford D. Bishop Jr. (D) in the Peach State’s 2nd district.