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A lobbyist testified this afternoon that VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor offered a state senator a “quid pro quo” deal to vote for a gambling bill in exchange for campaign contributions.

“The litmus test for us is going to be who supports the people having a right to vote on this issue,” McGregor tells Sen. Scott Beason in a meeting that Beason recorded for the FBI.

Jarrod Massey, who has pleaded guilty to bribery and conspiracy, testified today for the prosecutors in the State House vote-buying case. McGregor and eight others are on trial on accusations they participated in a conspiracy to buy and sell votes for a gambling bill in 2010.

Massey testified that he, McGregor, Beason and Country Crossing owner Ronnie Gilley met Feb. 18, 2010 in Massey’s Montgomery office. The meeting was scheduled after Massey had told Beason he was in a position to “cut a deal” to be the winning vote on the gambling bill and Beason, who was recording conversations for the FBI, indicated he might be swayed by campaign contributions.

“We all offered Senator Beason a quid pro quo at that meeting,” Massey told jurors this afternoon.

Massey, who has started his prison time, testified wearing a red prison outfit.

During the Feb. 18 meeting, McGregor and Gilley repeatedly mentioned “the support” legislators would get if they voted for bill, Massey testified.

“We damn sure support who supports us, and we support in a significant way,” McGregor says on the recording.

Massey told prosecutor Emily Rae Woods that he knew they were in an “illegal area” during the conversation.

“We had tied numerous offers to his vote, which is not proper,” Massey testified.

During the conversation, Gilley discusses tying Beason into the public relations firm he used in Nashville. And Massey said he envisioned Beason being the gatekeeper for a pot of campaign funds to distribute to other candidates.

Gilley also told Beason during the meeting that Sen. Harri Anne Smith, who supported the bill, would get $1 million for her campaign if needed. McGregor interjected “as long as she keeps, holds her position.”

Massey said he interrupted the Feb. 18 meeting by saying he would meet with Beason on the details. Massey testified that was because he was afraid of how they were getting so specific and didn’t want to put all three of them in legal jeopardy. Massey said he thought he could take the heat solo.

Massey said he was tremendously nervous when he met with Beason the next day to discuss the details because he said he had never done anything like that before.

“In the back of my mind there was a small voice telling me you may be being record,” Massey testified. Beason did record that meeting for the FBI.

Massey said that, after getting authorization from Gilley, he offered Beason $1 million a year for his vote.

Massey said he tried to call McGregor on the way home from the meeting to brief him on what happened but didn’t reach him.

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