The judge who presided over Alabama's two gambling corruption trials says the U.S. Supreme Court needs to clear up when a campaign contribution constitutes a bribe.
U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson issued an opinion saying there is ``considerable confusion'' about how federal corruption laws apply to campaign contributions. He says a precise definition of bribery would help.
The two trials before Thompson involved legislators and lobbyists accused of promising campaign contributions in return for votes on pro-gambling legislation. No one was convicted.
The judge says the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals tried to clarify some of the issues in former Gov. Don Siegelman's bribery case involving contributions to his lottery campaign, but more needs to be done.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)