Greene County Democrat

Tag: Greene County Sheriff Jonathan Benison

  • Commission agrees to lease former Greenetrack facility to First Biometrics

    The Greene County Commission met in a called session, Thursday, May 1, 2025 with all Commissioners present. The two items on the presented agenda, relative to access to the former Greenetrack facility, included consideration of a lease between the Greene County Commission and First Biometrics and consideration of a lease between the Commission and Tim Anderson. Chairperson Garria Spencer noted that the Commission had not received a proposal from Tim Anderson, thus the agenda was adopted omitting the latter item.
    Commissioner Allen Turner, Jr. suggested going into an executive session, however, Chairman Spencer proposed that the body just vote on the sole item on the agenda. On a three-two vote, with Commissioners Allen Turner, Corey Cockrell and Roshanda Summerville voting yes, the Commission approved entering into a lease with First Biometrics which will allow them access to the former Greenetrack facility for restorations, renovations and security.
    In previous Commission meetings, Charlie Gomez of Iron Wolf LLC based in Huntsville, AL, advanced the proposal from First Biometrics which included language indicating a lease agreement would be presented asking the Commission to consider the financial investment for facility improvements made by First Biometrics. Commission Attorney Mark Parnell will prepare the lease agreement.
    It was noted that if bingo is brought back by the lessee to the renovated facility, Greene County Sheriff Jonathan Benison would have to issue the appropriate license to a charity operating the bingo gaming. First Biometrics indicated they would be considering gaming and a variety of entertainments.

  • School board approves $16 million + for FY 2024-2025 budget; Sheriff Benison assists school system with gaming funds

    In its second Budget Hearing, held Tuesday, September 10, 2024, the Greene County Board of Education approved the system’s FY 2024-2025 proposed annual budget with projected revenues of $16,258,410 and expenditures of $16,151,057, which must be submitted to the State Department of Education by September 15. The budget decrease of approximately $5 million is due primarily to the exhaustion of the multi-year ESSER funds appropriated through the Congressional CARES ACT (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act) to support school districts in addressing the impact of COVID 19. Board members present included Mr. Leo Branch, Mr. Robert Davis and Ms. Veronica Richardson.
    The system currently has 145 employees, a decrease of 20 from the previous year. State earned units support 82.33 personnel; other state funds support 31.51 personnel; federal funds support 24.49 and local funds support 6.72 – totaling 145.05 school personnel.
    Greene County Sheriff Jonathan Benison has entered into an agreement with the Board of Education to provide $60,000 per month (Gaming Funds) to assist the system in the following areas: Teacher and student aide salaries and benefits; Classroom technologies and supplies; Teacher enrichment expenses; student enrichment activities including field trips. Currently 4.5 teachers are budgeted from these funds, with two position expected to be added.
    Regarding investments, the system’s CD at Synovus Bank has a current balance of $2,547,420.76, indicating an interest growth of $124,562.78. Lennon noted that new negotiations are underway for a rate increase.
    Budgetary Highlights for FY 2025 included the following: System average daily Membership (ADM) decreased by 2.90; Funded teacher units decreased by 2.07; Classroom instructional supply funds – $900 per unit; Technology support – $500 per unit; Library enhancement – $157.72 per unit; common purchases – $100 per unit; Foundation Program increased by $417,397; Transportation funding decreased by $50,987; Capital funding increased by$5,853; Local millage match decreased by $63,055.
    The system’s Federal Funds for FY 25 will be allocated as follows: Title I – Two teachers, one aid, and the overage of the Math Coach and Reading Intervention at EPS; Four teachers, one aid and the overage of Math Coach at RBMS; Two teachers and 40% of the Assistant Principal at GCHS. Title II – Employ one classroom reduction teacher at RBMS and support professional development across the District. Title IV: Phase 3 playground at RBMS and support study abroad for GCHS scholars. Title V: Technology for Career Center and support of the Peer Helper Program.
    Child Nutrition Program revenues are budgeted at $900,000.
    Ms. Marquita Lennon also presented the FY 2024 Wrap Up indicating supplemental appropriations for the following: Alabama Reading Initiative Grant for After School funded at $50,000; Education Trust Fund supplemented at $861,900; Career Tech O&M supplemented at $19,938; Textbook supplemented at $47,704; Nurses Salaries supplemented at $26,468 – all totaling $1,000.601.
    In other business, the board approved the following personnel items recommended by Superintendent Dr. Corey Jones.
    Resignation: Jasmine Armstead, Science teacher – GCHS, effective August 7, 2024.
    Employment for the 2024 – 2025 school year:Mary McMillian – Bus Aide – GCSS; Debra Waiters – Part-time Parent Facilitator – GCSS; Marva Smith – Long-term substitute (ACCESS) – GCHS; Carla Russell – Bus driver for mid-day CTE route from GCCC to RBMS.
    Authorization of the following employees to work Concessions and Ticket Booths for the 2024-2025 school year at the Greene County High School principal’s discretion: La Tanya Cockrell; Tracey Hunter; Sarah Brewer; Twelia Morris; Sharon Washington; Mary Henderson; Wanda Gaitor; Jacqueline Edwards – Custodial Services; 3-year Contract for CSFO, Marquita Lennon, effective September 1, 2024.
    Additional Service Contracts 2024 – 2025 for the following employees at Greene County High School: (Separate Contract); Patricia Maiden – Assistant Volleyball Coach.
    The board approved the following administrative items.
    * Travel to the 2024 CTE Vision Conference December 4-7, 2024 in San Antonio, TX for the following potential attendees: (pending budget approval):Teresa Atkins; Andrea Perry; Tamika Thompson; Angela White.
    * Contract between Greene County High School and West Central Volleyball Officials Association for volleyball officials for the 2024 – 2025 school year.
    * Contract between Greene County High School and West Central Football Officials Association for football officials for the 2024 – 2025 school year.
    * Agreement between Greene County Board of Education and Integrity Event Security Providers, LLC to provide concealed weapons detection services at Greene County High School and Robert Brown Middle School for the 2024 – 2025 school year.
    * Payment of all bills, claims, and payroll.
    * Bank reconciliations as submitted by Mrs. Marquita Lennon, CSFO.
    * Purchase of a copier for central office from Dex Imaging in the amount of $14,590.

  • Sheriff Benison files lawsuit to ensure compliance with new ‘Bookend electronic bingo rules’ for Greene County

    Greene County Sheriff Jonathan Benison filed a lawsuit against all the bingo machine providers, operators, and charities in Greene County to ensure compliance with his new rules for electronic bingo, under Constitutional Amendment 743.
    The amendment empowers the Sheriff of Greene County to make the rules and regulation concerning the licensing, permitting and operation of electronic bingo in Greene County.
    Sheriff Benison says in his lawsuit that he is promulgating new rules as of October 10, 2023, that must be implemented within 45 days, by November 24, 2023, for a new form of electronic bingo, called “Bookend Bingo”. It is so named because every bingo session henceforth will “be required to commence and end with the play of a bingo game that includes the characteristics imposed by the Alabama Supreme Court while utilizing an electronic marking machine.”
    Benison asserts that his new form of “Bookend Bingo” complies with Amendment 743 and section 65 of the Alabama Constitution and thus will bring an end to State Attorney General Steve Marshall’s lawsuit to close the playing of bingo in Greene County, because the AG asserts that it is a form of illegal gambling.
    The Sheriff’s new regulations would limit the winnings in any one session of bingo to $10,000, which he says is required by Amendment 743.
    Benison asserts that the Palace Bingo is currently offering higher payouts in violation of these rules.
    In his lawsuit, the Sheriff requests a preliminary and later a permanent injunction of the current bingo machine providers and operators to change their machines, or the software in their machines, to comply with his new “Bookend Bingo” rules. He requests this hearing by early November to allow for the expeditious conversion of bingo machines in compliance with his new rules.
    In his lawsuit, the Sheriff defines ‘Bookend Bingo’ as a game with three phases, including a Beginning Phase, similar to conventional bingo but still played on an electronic marking machine; an Entertainment Phase, which is similar to the current bingo machine operations, although with updated software; and a Completion Phase, which is similar to the initial phase.
    The rules and details of ‘Bookend Bingo’ are comprehensively described in the Sheriff’s new rules, which are attached to the lawsuit and are supposed to comply with Alabama law and in particular cause the AG’s case against bingo in Greene County to be concluded as no longer viable. The Sheriff does not include any written assurance from the Attorney General that this new form of bingo will meet his legal requirements.
    The Democrat called several representatives of the current bingo operators to get their comments on the Sheriff’s new rules and lawsuit to implement them. These persons uniformly said that they could not comment and that they were still studying the lawsuit to understand what it means and the implications for their businesses.
    The Democrat also called Attorney’s Troy King and H. E. Nix, who signed the lawsuit and represent the Sheriff to get a better understanding of  the Sheriff’s rationale, strategy, and goals in promulgating these new rules for electronic bingo in Greene County. Neither attorney has called back.

  • State investigating campaign donations to Greene County sheriff

    By Josh Moon, Alabama Political Reporter

    Editor’s Note: We are reprinting in full this article from the Alabama Political Reporter concerning Greene County Sheriff Jonathan ‘Joe” Benison receiving campaign contributions from bingo related businesses and charities. Benison won yesterday’s primary for re-election to his law enforcement and bingo regulatory position. The Democrat will continue to follow the allegations in this story in future issues of our newspaper.

    State authorities are investigating a number of questionable campaign donations received by Greene County Sheriff Jonathan Benison and a potentially improper relationship between a political action committee, a Greene County bingo charity and a Greene County casino, according to Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill.
    APR was provided copies of campaign finance filings and other materials and raised questions with Merrill’s office. Merrill confirmed that his office reviewed the materials and found that “some laws have been violated, we believe, and there are some other problems here as well.”
    Merrill said his office lacked jurisdiction on the potential issues, but that he referred the potential criminal portion to the Alabama Attorney General’s Office and the other matters to the Alabama revenue office for investigation.
    “I fully expect that this will get a lot of attention, because the problems here are very obvious,” Merrill said. “We spoke to our contact person at the AG’s office and passed along everything to him, and I feel confident after that discussion that this will be investigated thoroughly.”

    At issue are donations to Benison flowing through the Citizens For Lawful Government PAC, which was formed in February by attorney James Liddon. Liddon has represented Benison in legal matters in the past.
    As the sheriff, Benison is identified by the Alabama constitution as the primary regulator of bingo games in the county. In Alabama, in order to operate bingo games – whether on paper or electronic – a licensed casino must meet certain regulations and also must affiliate itself with an authorized charity. It is the sheriff’s responsibility to authorize the charities and oversee the gaming,  according to Alabama law.
    Unlike most other Alabama counties, Greene County has a number of operational electronic bingo casinos. Each of those casinos is aligned with one or more charities. Those casinos and charities must report earnings and donations to Benison, who ensures that the casinos are meeting their obligations under the law.

    The Citizens for Lawful Government PAC has taken donations from just three sources: WWCH, LLC., a business owned by Tuscaloosa accountant Donald Wood; The Palace casino located in Greene County; and TS Police Support League, the primary charity supported by The Palace.
    TS Police Support League gave $18,800 on March 18. The Palace chipped in $10,000 on April 6. And WWCH added $1,000 on the same day.
    The Citizens for Lawful Government PAC has, in turn, donated to just one candidate: Benison. Benison got $18,800 from the PAC in two payments, on March 20 and 25th. He also received another $7,500 the day after The Palace and WWCH made their donations on April 6.
    All of that, of course,  raises legal questions concerning conflicts of interest for the sheriff. Numerous attempts to reach Benison were unsuccessful. A message left with a sheriff’s office employee last week went unreturned.
    Making matters worse, TS Police Support League is registered as a 501(c)(3) charity, and as such should have no political involvement at all. Making political donations has, in the past, cost other 501(c)(3) charities their tax exempt status.
    Merrill said the activity of the charity will be investigated by the Alabama Revenue Department and its findings passed along to the Internal Revenue Service.
    Benison’s contributions in this election cycle, which total more than $37,000 so far, have come almost entirely from entities with ties to electronic bingo. In addition to the $27,300 Benison received from TS Support League, The Palace and WWCH, he also took in $10,000 from Christopher Fellows, who owns Diamond Amusements, a company that supplies electronic bingo machines.

  • Four bingo facilities distribute $359,660 for month of November

    Bingo Clerk Emma Jackson, Officer E. Carpenter, Forkland Mayor  Charlie McAlpine, Dr. Marcia Pugh Greene County Health System CEO, Greene County Sheriff Jonathan Benison, Ruthie Thomas representing the City of Eutaw, Boligee City Councilwoman Earnestine Wade and Union Mayor James Gaines.

    The Greene County Sheriff’s Department reported a total distribution of $359,660 for the month of November 2019 from four licensed bingo gaming operations in the county. The bingo distributions for November are contributed by Greenetrack, Inc., Frontier, River’s Edge and Palace. The recipients of the monthly distributions from bingo gaming designated by Sheriff Benison in his Bingo Rules and Regulations include the Greene County Sheriff’s Department, the cities of Eutaw, Forkland, Union, Boligee, the Greene County Board of Education and the Greene County Hospital (Health System).
    Greenetrack, Inc. gave a total of $67,500 to the following: Greene County Commission, $-0-no distribution; Greene County Sheriff’s Department, $9,000; City of Eutaw, $4,500; and the Towns of Forkland, Union and Boligee each, $3,000; Greene County Board of Education, $13,500, the Greene County Health System, $7,500. Included in Greenetrack’s November contribution is $24,000 for undesignated recipient.
    Frontier (Dream, Inc.) gave a total of $67,500 to the following: Greene County Commission, $-0-no distribution); Greene County Sheriff’s Department, $9,000; City of Eutaw, $4,500; and the Towns of Forkland, Union and Boligee each, $3,000; Greene County Board of Education, $13,500, Greene County Health System, $7,500. Included in Frontier’s November contribution is $24,000 for undesignated recipient.
    River’s Edge (Next Level Leaders and Tishabee Community Center Tutorial Program) gave a total of $73,300 to the following: Greene County Commission, $-0-no distribution); Greene County Sheriff’s Department, $9,000; City of Eutaw, $4,500; and the Towns of Forkland, Union and Boligee each, $3,000; Greene County Board of Education, $13,500, and the Greene County Health System, $13,300. Included in River’s Edge November contribution is $24,000 for undesignated recipient.
    Palace (TS Police Support League) gave a total of $151,360 to the following: Greene County Commission, $-0- (no distribution); Greene County Sheriff’s Department, $80,960; City of Eutaw, $24,640; and the Towns of Forkland, Union and Boligee each, $7,040; Greene County Board of Education, $7,040 and the Greene County Health System, $17,600. There was no amount reported for an undesignated recipient.

  • Bingo facilities distribute $359,660 to local entities for October, with $72,000 unspecified

    Shown Above: Bingo Clerk Minnie Byrd, Union Mayor James Gaines, Greene County Sheriff Jonathan Benison, Greene County Hospital Board CEO Dr. Marcia Pugh, Greene County School Superintendent Dr. Corey Jones, Boligee City Councilwoman Ernestine Wade, Representing the City of Eutaw, Ruthie Thomas, Bingo Clerk Emma Jackson and Forkland City Councilman Joe Tuck.

    The Greene County Sheriff’s Department reported a total distribution of $359,660 for the month of October 2019 from four licensed bingo gaming operations in the county. The bingo distributions for October are contributed by Greenetrack, Inc., Frontier, River’s Edge and Palace. Green Bingo is no longer in operation, however, a bingo license was issued by Sheriff Jonathan Benison to a new entity, the Raymond Austin Memorial Foundation for Rural Advancement & Development, Inc. on August 8, 2019.
    The recipients of the monthly distributions from bingo gaming designated by Sheriff Benison in his Bingo Rules and Regulations include the Greene County Sheriff’s Department, the cities of Eutaw, Forkland, Union, Boligee, the Greene County Board of Education and the Greene County Hospital (Health System).
    The following distribution reports, excluding the Palace, also contain an additional $24,000 from each bingo operation but does not give the recipient of this total amount of $72,000.
    Greenetrack, Inc. gave a total of $67,500 to the following: Greene County Commission, $24,000; Greene County Sheriff’s Department, $9,000; City of Eutaw, $4,500; and the Towns of Forkland, Union and Boligee each, $3,000; Greene County Board of Education, $13,500, the Greene County Health System, $7,500. ( + $24,000 for undesignated recipient)
    Frontier (Dream, Inc.) gave a total of $67,500 to the following: Greene County Commission, $-0-no distribution); Greene County Sheriff’s Department, $9,000; City of Eutaw, $4,500; and the Towns of Forkland, Union and Boligee each, $3,000; Greene County Board of Education, $13,500, Greene County Health System, $7,500. (+ $24,000 for undesignated recipient)
    River’s Edge (Next Level Leaders and Tishabee Community Center Tutorial Program) gave a total of $73,300 to the following: Greene County Commission, $-0-no distribution); Greene County Sheriff’s Department, $9,000; City of Eutaw, $4,500; and the Towns of Forkland, Union and Boligee each, $3,000; Greene County Board of Education, $13,500, and the Greene County Health System, $13,300.( + $24,000 for undesignated recipient)
    Palace (TS Police Support League) gave a total of $151,360 to the following: Greene County Commission, $-0- (no distribution); Greene County Sheriff’s Department, $80,960; City of Eutaw, $24,640; and the Towns of Forkland, Union and Boligee each, $7,040; Greene County Board of Education, $7,040 and the Greene County Health System, $17,600.

  • Bingo entities provide $373,380 to county recipients for April

    Shown above Boligee City Councilwoman Ernestine Wade, Greene County School Board CSFO Lavanda Blair, Chief of Police Derick Coleman representing the City of Eutaw, Rhonda French representing Greene County Commission, Greene County Sheriff Jonathan Benison, Mayor of Union James Gaines, Greene County Heath System JoAnn Cameron, Forkland Clerk Lynette Woods and Bingo Clerk Minnie Byrd

    On Friday, May 24, 2019, prior to distributing the bingo receipts for the designated county entities, Sheriff Jonathan Benison held a short press conference stating that the citizens of Greene County voted for Amendment 743 and that’s the law he will stand by. “The late Thomas E. Gilmore instilled in me to provide for and protect my officers and the citizens of Greene County,” he stated.
    The Greene County Sheriff Department reported a total distribution of $373,380 for the month of April, 2019 from the five licensed gaming operations in the county. The recipients of the monthly distributions from bingo gaming designated by Sheriff Benison in his Bingo Rules and Regulations include the Greene County Commission, the Greene County Sheriff’s Department, the cities of Eutaw, Forkland, Union, Boligee, the Greene County Board of Education and the Greene County Hospital (Health System).
    Greenetrack, Inc. gave a total of $67,500 to the following: Greene County Commission, $24,000; Greene County Sheriff’s Department, $9,000; City of Eutaw, $4,500; and the Towns of Forkland, Union and Boligee each, $3,000; Greene County Board of Education, $13,500, the Greene County Health System, $7,500.
    Green Charity (Center for Rural Family Development) gave a total of $67,000 to the following: Greene County Commission, $24,000; Greene County Sheriff’s Department, $9,000; City of Eutaw, $4,500; and the Towns of Forkland, Union and Boligee each, $3,000; Greene County Board of Education, $13,500, the Greene County Health System, $7,500.
    Frontier (Dream, Inc.) gave a total of $67,500 to the following: Greene County Commission, $24,000; Greene County Sheriff’s Department, $9,000; City of Eutaw, $4,500; and the Towns of Forkland, Union and Boligee each, $3,000; Greene County Board of Education, $13,500, Greene County Health System, $7,500.
    River’s Edge (NNL – Next Level Leaders and TCCTP – Tishabee Community Center Tutorial Program) gave a total of $72,050 to the following: Greene County Commission, $24,000; Greene County Sheriff’s Department, $9,000; City of Eutaw, $4,500; and the Towns of Forkland, Union and Boligee each, $3,000; Greene County Board of Education, $13,500, and the Greene County Health System, $12,050
    Palace (TS Police Support League) gave a total of $99,330 to the following: Greene County Commission, $4,620; Greene County Sheriff’s Department, $36,960; City of Eutaw, $27,720; and the Towns of Forkland, Union and Boligee each, $4,620; Greene County Board of Education, $4,620 and the Greene County Health System, $11,550.

  • License clerk hired for Probate Judge office

    J Davis Clerk

    At its monthly meeting held Monday, March 13, 2017, the Greene County Commission ratified the employment of Mrs. Javonica Davis in the position of license clerk in the Greene County Probate Judge’s office. Mrs. Davis, a graduate of the University of West Alabama, currently lives in the Boligee-Tishabee community with her husband Darrack Davis and their two children.
    The commission also approved appointments for PARA and the J.C. Poole Memorial Library Boards. District 3 Commissioner Corey Cockrell recommended Ms. LaTarius Lewis for the PARA and Ms. Faye Tyree for the Library.
    An adjustment to changes in the county’s Policy and Procedure 11.1.3 Part-Time Hours component was approved. The adjustment is to bring the policies in line with the Affordable Care Act which stipulates that a part-time employee cannot work 60 hours or more during a pay period (two weeks) without overtime pay and related benefits.
    The commission also approved the following:
    Travel for staff to various training workshops and conferences; Ratification of advertising for Nutrition Site Director for Eutaw; Payment of claims.
    The financial reports and budget amendments were tabled due to the absence of the CFO.

    Commission Work Session

    At the Greene County Commission’s work session held Wednesday, March 8, 2017, County Engineer, Willie Branch, noted that the ceiling lights in the Activity Center have been replaced and the outside lighting would be completed soon.
    At this work session, the CSFO, Paula Bird, noted that the commission is still receiving only $80 per bingo machine from each of the four bingo facilities in the county, instead of the $85 per machine as Greene County Sheriff Jonathan Benison agreed to in the court settlement.
    The commission was also informed that the state is changing its process for printing tags and since a new printer is needed in the Probate Judge’s office, this purchase would facilitate the county’s adherence to these changes.
    Rafe Banks, with West Rock box plant in Eutaw, informed the commission that the company is looking to expand the business in the near future and will be needing more land. West Rock is interested in acquiring the county’s property that is adjacent to the box plant facility. Banks clarified that no formal request is made at this time.
    There were some comments on what seemingly is a new bingo gaming facility in Knoxville. The commissioners noted that they were not informed of the new business and were not aware of the owners, although the building is fully erected and gaming machines are installed.