Gaming news briefs for February 18, 2004

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2004 | 11:25 a.m.

Former governor seeks to overturn verdict

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Lawyers for Edwin Edwards said Wednesday they are filing new motions to free the imprisoned former Louisiana governor, claiming they have new information that warrants the dismissal of the guilty verdict.

Defense attorney Mike Small said further details about jurors, witnesses and the judge in the corruption case that began nearly six years ago show the trial was "grossly unfair" and Edwards did not have all the necessary information to properly defend himself.

"We've learned information that we didn't have then and we're seeking access to information we don't have," Small said.

Edwards was convicted in May 2000 of extorting applicants for riverboat casino licenses in Louisiana and is serving a 10-year sentence at a federal prison in Fort Worth, Texas.

Small said the motions being filed in a Baton Rouge federal court seek to overturn the conviction and sentence and remove the presiding judge, U.S. District Judge Frank Polozola.

Defense attorneys said they had new information that showed:

-Prosecutors failed to explain the full details of a plea agreement made with a key witness in the case, former casino owner Robert Guidry.

-One juror was biased against Edwards because she believed he failed to use his influence to aid in the investigation of her 2-year-old daughter's death.

-Polozola may have been under the influence of strong painkillers for a back injury during the trial.

Polozola's office said the judge had not yet seen the documents but typically does not comment on matters that are before him in court.

U.S. Attorney Jim Letten, whose office prosecuted the case, was not immediately available for comment. _centerline(PROFILE _centerline(COUNTRY:United States; ISOCOUNTRY3:USA; UNTOP:021; APGROUP:NorthAmerica;) _centerline(CAT:Crime;) _centerline(CAT:Gambling;) _centerline(CAT:Legal;) _centerline(SRC:AP; ST:LA;) _centerline)

Local voters reject casino

MILWAUKEE -- For the Ho-Chunk Nation, $1 million spent trying to convince Dane County voters to approve turning its Madison bingo hall into a full-blown Las Vegas-style casino couldn't buy a win.

Residents rejected the proposal by a 2-to-1 margin Tuesday, along with the $91 million the tribe had promised to pay the city of Madison and the county if the casino went through.

"It's unfortunate," said Ho-Chunk Attorney General Rebecca Weise. "We wanted to give it."

Only the governor has the power to authorize casinos in Wisconsin. Gov. Jim Doyle told The Associated Press Tuesday night that he would abide by the result of the nonbinding referendum.

"I wanted this to be the choice of the people of Dane County," the governor said.

With all precincts reporting, 64 percent voted against the casino and 36 percent voted for it, according to unofficial returns.

Supporters said the money would help cover property tax relief and human services programs for the elderly and disabled. Opponents argued the money wouldn't provide substantial property tax relief and local law enforcement would have to battle new crime brought on by problem gamblers.