Former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue is a potential defense witness in an Alabama corruption trial that has ensnared a former Georgia politico, according to news reports in Alabama.
Jay Walker, who served as chief of staff to Glenn Richardson when he was Georgia's speaker of the House, was indicted in the Alabama case on one count of conspiracy, one count of bribery and 11 counts of honest services fraud. The trial in federal court in Montgomery began Monday with jury selection.
Also being tried are four Alabama lawmakers and the owner of the state's largest casino.
According to reports in The Montgomery Advertiser and The Wetumpka Herald newspapers, Perdue was mentioned in court Monday as a possible witness. The Herald said it was Walker's attorney who said Perdue might be called to testify.
Efforts to reach Walker's attorney were not immediately successful. Perdue also could not be reached for comment. Through a spokesman, Perdue said he has not been contacted by anyone in Alabama and only knows about his possible involvement through media reports.
Documents in the case file do not yet mention possible witnesses.
If called, Perdue would likely serve as a character witness for Walker, although Walker never worked directly for Perdue. Former Alabama Gov. Bob Riley is mentioned as a possible witness for the prosecution.
Perdue would not be the first former Georgia governor to testify in a federal criminal case. In 2005, former Gov. Roy Barnes testified on behalf of Senate Majority Leader Charles Walker. Walker was convicted of mail fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy and is serving a 10-year prison sentence.
In the Alabama case, the Justice Department alleges a scheme to buy and sell votes in the Alabama Legislature. Prosecutors allege that the operators of the state's largest casinos and their team of lobbyists offered millions in campaign contributions and other benefits to lawmakers in exchange for votes to legalize gambling.
Walker served as a spokesman and lobbyist for Ronnie Gilley, developer of the Country Crossing casino in Dothan.
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