State Sen. Scott Beason (R-Gardendale) addresses reporters at a press conference Monday. Beason apologized for racially-charged remarks he made while talking with fellow legislators, a remark which was secretly recorded while he was wearing a wire for federal investigators in the bingo corruption scandal.

State Sen. Scott Beason (R-Gardendale) apologized for remarks made while wearing a wire in the federal investigation of gambling-related corruption in the Alabama Legislature.

Beason made his apology during a brief press conference at his hometown’s civic center today.

Beason has been lambasted by critics for calling Greenetrack dog track supporters “aborigines” during a conversation Rep. Benjamin Lewis, R-Dothan, according to published court reports. Beason wore the wire to gather evidence for prosecution in an ongoing vote-buying trial involving Greenetrack.

“I do not know where that word came from or why it popped into my head that day. Nevertheless, the comments were careless and unnecessary,” said Beason. “We all teach our children to apologize and make things right when they have hurt someone’s feelings, whether they meant to or not… I apologize to anyone whose feelings were hurt by my comment.”

Beason issued a statement several months ago that said he wouldn’t be talking directly to the press until the trial was completed.

“I would have liked to address this issue sooner, and always said that I would do so after the trial. Now we are in a situation where trials may go on for months, and I believe this issue needs to be addressed,” he said.

When asked whether or not he had a response to Democratic demands for his resignation, Beason said he “felt it was best not to comment” and that he was “just talking to the people of Alabama.”

He also said no minority members of the Alabama Legislature nor any large civil rights groups had contacted him personally.

“I have a number of friends that I needed to speak to personally on the matter, and I have done that,” he said.