On Feb. 9, 2008,
Larry Langford
won $96,093, hitting 36 jackpots playing electronic bingo at VictoryLand
casino in Macon County.
On March 14, Langford, who was mayor of Birmingham at the time, hit 21 electronic bingo jackpots that paid out $93,811 at VictoryLand. On March 21, Langford hit 19 jackpots at VictoryLand that paid him $63,637, according to his state tax returns.
Over three years, Langford won more than $1.5 million in 555 jackpots, tax records show.
Langford's state returns for 2006, 2007 and 2008 recently became part of the record in a civil lawsuit in Greene County, where plaintiffs contend electronic bingo machines at the GreeneTrack casino in Eutaw were rigged to allow Langford to win large sums of money. A similar lawsuit has been filed in Macon County where plaintiffs contend bingo machines at VictoryLand also were rigged to allow Langford to win large jackpots.
Lawyers for both casinos have denied the claims, calling the two lawsuits, both filed by Birmingham lawyer Ted Mann, "frivolous."
But Mann, in a motion filed in the Greene County case defending the merits of the lawsuit, says Langford's tax records tell his plaintiffs' story.
"These records demonstrate unequivocally that what the plaintiffs have alleged did in fact occur. Mr. Langford has, miraculously, won over five hundred and fifty jackpots at VictoryLand," over the last three years, Mann wrote in the motion.
Langford told The Birmingham News on Tuesday he didn't remember winning multiple jackpots on any given day.
"Did you say 36 jackpots? Thirty-six ... jackpots! That's B.S.," Langford said. "I never won 36 jackpots in one ... night in my life."
Langford said he had no idea his tax records had been subpoenaed and turned over in this case.
In 2008, according to the filings, Langford reported hitting 275 jackpots in 24 days for a total of $729,000. Langford's 2008 tax returns shows he hit 37 electronic bingo jackpots worth $76,000 at GreeneTrack. The 2008 tax return does not specify what days Langford played at GreeneTrack.
"I gamble a lot, everybody knows that," Langford said. "But man, I don't remember winning like that. I don't remember."
Langford in 2006, 2007 and 2008 reported losing as much as he won. For instance, in 2006, he reported winning and losing $227,673. In 2007, he reported $485,633 in gambling winnings and losses. And in 2008, Langford reported winning and losing $810,601. He said he didn't recall that.
"If that's what it says, that's what it says," Langford said. "I played and won and played and lost, but I don't remember the total, but I can tell you over the years I've lost a hell of a lot more than I've won."
Langford later added, "Look, every dollar I won, I just put back in the machines and played again."
The tax returns for 2006 -- the year before Langford was elected mayor of Birmingham -- show Langford was a frequent visitor and winner at VictoryLand. For example, on March 10, 2006, Langford reported winning 11 jackpots for a total of $14,651. On August 8, 2006, Langford's tax returns shows he won eight jackpots for almost $30,000.
Langford also hit multiple jackpots with big payouts on several days in 2007. On Dec. 12, 2007, Langford hit at least 14 jackpots that paid him almost $20,000. Ten days later, on Dec. 22, Langford visited VictoryLand and was a winner 35 times, for $90,000.
Langford's tax returns include receipts documenting his claimed winnings, but documentation supporting his claimed losses is not included.
State and federal laws and regulations require that Langford show evidence for any gambling wins above $1,200. Those laws would require Langford to show evidence of losses only if he were audited. Langford said he has not been audited by either the state or the federal government in the last three years.
Langford and VictoryLand owner, Milton McGregor, have long been friends. McGregor has been a frequent campaign contributor to Langford's various races for public office. Both men have strongly disputed Mann's claims in his lawsuits that bingo machines have been rigged to benefit Langford.
Langford was convicted in October by a federal jury on 60 counts of wrongdoing, including bribery, money laundering and conspiracy all related to his time on the Jefferson County Commission. He is slated to be sentenced Friday.
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