Defendants in federal cases often complain that they are outgunned by the seemingly limitless resources of federal prosecutors. Some wealthier defendants, such as Alabama gambling developer Milton McGregor, can more easily afford a legal team that can match up to the U.S. Justice Department and the F.B.I. But for others, such as former Sen. Larry Means and Sen. Quinton Ross, attorneys fees and other costs can add up, and can become quite a burden.

Former Sen. Larry Means is seeking $400,000 to cover his legal costs in the Alabama bingo corruption trial.

According to a Means supporter, legal costs for the former Attalla Republican “could easily cost over $400,000,” while supporters of Sen. Ross (D-Montgomery) are asking for $1.25 million in help for his legal fees, Montgomery Advertiser reporter Sebastian Kitchen wrote Sunday.

Ross was charged with bribery, extortion, fraud and conspiring to corruptly pass pro-gambling legislation through the Alabama Senate. He was acquitted on all charges in August.

Sen. Quinton Ross (D-Montgomery), shown here with attorney Mark Englehart in tow, was acquitted in August of all charges and is asking supporters to help cover $1.25 million in legal bills.

Means is accused of conspiring to pass a pro-gambling bill with Milton McGregor and six other defendants and demanding $100,000 in campaign contributions from former Montgomery lobbyist Jarrod Massey and gambling developer Ronnie Gilley. He was acquitted of 14 charges in August, but still faces a retrial on two charges.

Ross was represented by attorneys Lewis Gillis, Mark Englehart and Tyrone Means. In bingo trial court filings, Means lists four attorneys from the Birmingham firm Redden, Mills & Clark, LLP, but was primarily represented by only two of those attorneys, Bill Clark and Stephen Shaw.

Read the full story at the Montgomery Advertiser.