Six Macon County officials are seeking damages both individually and in their official capacity against Gov. Robert Bentley and Attorney General Luther Strange in a lawsuit filed last Friday in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama in Montgomery.

They are seeking a declaratory judgment, injunctive relief and equitable relief for harm suffered as a result of “illegal and discriminatory acts committed by Bentley and Strange” against businesses and individuals in Macon County. The suit charges that the state, under Bentley and Strange, has committed illegal and discriminatory acts resulting in the suppression and negation of lawfully cast votes in favor of a constitutional referendum to create electronic bingo games in the county.

The lawsuit cites these facts to uphold a claim of racial discrimination: Alabama is a majority white state (71 percent) whereas Macon County is 81.5 percent black; 98 percent of school enrollment in Macon County is black; and on down a line of statistics to allege discrimination.

The thrust of the lawsuit is to prove that Macon County went by “the book” in creating first greyhound racing, then electronic bingo to provide public services for one of the poorest counties in Alabama and now the state is shutting down what they consider their legal activities to protect the Poarch Creek Indian Casinos who have become heavy contributors to political candidates in order to protect their gambling interests.

Unlike the Macon County racetrack and bingo operation, the Poarch Creek Casinos pay no state or local taxes on revenue derived on tribal lands but have paid Alabama politicians, including the state’s chief law enforcement officer hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign wampum.

Count one of the complaint alleges violations of the Voting Rights Act; Count two a violation of the Voting Rights Act Results Standard; Count three alleges purposeful discrimination in violation of Section 1983 of the Voting Rights Act; Count four; a violation of fundamental unfairness under Section 1983.

After reading the complaint this past weekend, it appears to cover all the bases of issues which need to be fundamentally resolved in this state in order to give both Caucasians and African Americans equal footing and equal rights in the ability to operate gaming establishments, something our attorney general and governor have failed to recognize.

Another Alabama State University scandal

While preparing to write this column Sunday evening, breaking news developed in Montgomery about the continuing saga of corruption at Alabama State University.

I have learned that three high-placed Alabama State officials have been indicted involving actions related to the ongoing corruption scandal at the university. As names become available for publication we will place the information on our website, themontgomeryindependent.com.

Gov. Bentley in November commissioned an independent audit of the finances and other activities at Alabama State University.

Bentley said The Birmingham-based firm Forensic Strategic Solutions will conduct the audit. The announcement came after the university’s trustees suspended the school’s new president, Joseph Silver, after he raised questions about the school’s contracts and finances.

Before being suspended, Silver had tried to fire two top ASU officials, including executive vice president John Knight, who is also a state representative.

Bo knows...when he sees fishing.

Bo Jackson doesn’t have much to say about the latest allegations involving his alma mater. The 1985 Heisman Trophy winner dismissed allegations about his alma mater in an interview with the Associated Press.

Separate reports by ESPN the Magazine and Roopstigo.com last week include allegations ranging from widespread use of synthetic marijuana on the team during the 2010 national championship season, to grade changes and improper payments to players.

“I don’t even know the kids,” Jackson told the Associated Press in Birmingham on Sunday. “I’ve probably met them. But it seems like to me somebody’s fishing, somebody wants some attention, and they aren’t getting it. I actually wouldn’t give those accusations the time of day, to be honest with you.”

Jackson says athletic director Jay Jacobs’ response is all that needs to be said.

Bob Martin is editor and publisher of The Montgomery Independent. Email him at: bob@montgomeryindependent.com