Attorney claims The Greenbrier violated election laws

Friday, Nov. 3, 2000 | 9:27 a.m.

Lewisburg attorney Barry Bruce said he has an affidavit from a Greenbrier County resident who says he was paid $75 in cash to attend a meeting to discuss the proposed casino.

West Virginia law prohibits paying people to influence an election, Bruce said. In addition, the money was not disclosed on campaign finance reports.

William L. Garner stated he attended the Oct. 17 session at Greenbrier Community College Center, where a video about gambling was shown, Bruce said.

Following the session, Garner received $75 in an envelope.

The hotel has paid employees $50 to attend similar meetings, Bruce said. Employees have also been promised a $100 spot bonus if the referendum passes Nov. 7, he said.

Aly Goodwin, manager of special projects for The Greenbrier, said the hotel has given its employees profit-based bonuses every year for the last three year. The bonuses are given the second week in October. This year's bonus has nothing to do with the upcoming election, she said.

Goodwin said Bruce's claim "is full of bogus statements and otherwise misleading distortions."

The payments he complains about were fees given to residents who voluntarily attended focus groups conducted by the hotel's public opinion research firm, she said. Participants were told up front they would be reimbursed for their time.

She said the payments do not have to be itemized on campaign finance reports since they are paid by the research firm, she said.