The federal judge presiding over the trial of nine people accused in the Alabama State House bingo vote-buying scandal ruled Thursday afternoon that defense lawyers were entitled to question a prosecution witness about “racially charged” statements.

On the second-day of cross-examination of Sen. Scott Beason, R-Gardendale, an attorney for VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor hammered Beason over comments he made that were secretly recorded with fellow GOP lawmakers in 2010.

Beason made the recordings after he agreed to work with the FBI investigation into allegations that McGregor and others tried to bribe legislators into supporting legislation that would have given voters a chance to approve a constitutional amendment legalizing electronic bingo machines.