Indian Gaming > Revolving door at the Indian Gaming Commission

May 23, 2005

Revolving door at the Indian Gaming Commission

At least nine former officials of the National Indian Gaming Commission now lobby the federal government on behalf of tribes and casino companies, The San Diego Union-Tribune reports. Among them:

• Tom Foley, former commissioner, is lobbying on behalf of Lakes Entertainment and Caesars Entertainment. "He has been our eyes and ears at the NIGC," Robert Stewart, a Caesars vice president, told the paper.

• Jana McKeag, former commissioner and Foley's wife, lobbies on behalf of Venture Catalyst, a gaming firm, and Sodak Gaming. "I hardly ever talk to the NIGC at all, other than on a social basis," she said.

• Larry Rosenthal, former chief of staff, is lobbying for nine tribes and one casino company.

• Teresa Poust, former commissioner, is employed by the Holland & Knight law/lobbying firm. She runs into NIGC people about once a month.

• Aurene Martin, former Congressional/public affairs aide, also at Holland & Knight.

• Liz Homer, former commissioner, now in private practice representing tribes before the NIGC.

• Phil Hogen, current chairman, also worked for Holland & Knight after leaving NIGC in the late 1990s. He said he might return to lobbying once his current term is up.

Get the Story:
Tribes' casino lobbyists well-connected (The San Diego Union-Tribune 5/23)