GOP lawmaker made disparaging remarks about 'aborigines'

Friday, June 17, 2011  

A Republican lawmaker in Alabama was unable to explain disparaging remarks he made about African-American gamblers.

Sen. Scott Beason (R) was the first witness in a trial of nine people accused of buying and selling votes for pro-gaming legislation, the Associated Press reported. He secretly recorded his conversations for the FBI and his remarks about the patrons at one gaming facility were brought up on the stand.

“That’s y’all’s Indians,” one Republican said, according to the AP. “They’re aborigines, but they’re not Indians,” Beason replied.

Beason said he doesn't know what he meant by the use of "aborigines." “I don’t use that term normally. I don’t know where it even came from that day,” he testified.

The trial came out of a anti-gaming crackdown by former governor Bob Riley (R). He shut down non-Indian operated facilities that were offering electronic bingo machines.

Riley at one point threatened to go after the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

Get the Story:
Alabama GOP senator can’t explain ‘aborigines’ remark; Democratic chief calls for him to quit (AP 6/16)