Judge bars evidence of McGregor's Las Vegas gambling losses

Milton McGregor arrives for the gambling corruption trial at the Federal Courthouse in Montgomery, Ala. on Thursday June 23, 2011. /

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The federal judge in Alabama's gambling corruption trial has blocked prosecutors from presenting evidence about gambling losses by indicted casino owner Milton McGregor.
Federal prosecutors wanted to present records Thursday showing that the VictoryLand casino owner had $20,000 in losses at the Bellagio casino in Las Vegas in March 2010 while he was pushing a pro-gambling bill in the Alabama Legislature.
U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson said the losses were not significant to the trial and they could prejudice the jury.
Jurors spent Thursday listening to phone calls made by McGregor while he was in Las Vegas. The calls to his lobbyists and others were taped by the FBI. The calls involved McGregor's efforts to pass the gambling legislation in the state Senate.