Gilley & Massey could face less time in prison - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Federal prosecutors recommended significantly reduced sentences for two of the key witnesses in the federal corruption trial who entered guilty pleas before the first trial began last summer.

Former Country Crossing Developer Ronnie Gilley and lobbyist Jarrod Massey each face maximum sentences of 27 years in prison for their roles in a conspiracy to buy votes for gambling legislation during the 2010 legislative session.

Federal prosecutors recommended ten years and 11 months in federal prison for Ronnie Gilley and 11 years and two months for Jarrod Massey.

"Generally speaking a court will give great weight to a recommendation from a prosecutor that the defendant's cooperation was valuable" said Al Agricola, a former Assistant United States Attorney in the Middle District of Alabama. Agricola now works as a private attorney.

All nine defendants were acquitted on all charges during two jury trials. The first trial ended last August and the second trial ended last March.

A casino owner, pair of lobbyists, a casino spokesman, and several current and former state senators were all on trial for their alleged involvement in a scheme to pass legislation that would have led to a November 2010 vote on whether to legalize electronic bingo in Alabama.

Agricola said even though neither jury returned guilty verdicts, that won't impact the sentencing of Gilley and Massey because they cooperated with the investigation and the legal proceedings.

"Prosecutors in their recommendation to the court pointed out that the assistance provided by the defendants was valuable" Agricola said. "But in one of the defendants' cases they also pointed out that the defendant did not follow the instructions given by prosecutors" Agricola continued.

He's referring to a phone conversation Gilley had from the Montgomery City Jail with his wife when he told her that federal prosecutors told him to say a specific statement at his change of plea hearing. Federal prosecutors claim in court documents that Gilley lied to his wife and provided "unnecessary fodder" for defense attorneys during cross examination.

Gilley's attorney also entered a sentencing request for a significant departure from the standard sentencing guidelines. His attorney requested that Gilley spend no time in prison and that he simply be released on three years of supervised release.

Massey and Gilley will be sentenced July 16 along with former Democratic Rep. Terry Spicer who pleaded guilty to bribery charges last year in a separate corruption case. 

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