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Column: Mohegan Tribe's campaign donation violates casino law


Filed Under: Casino Stalker | Connecticut | Opinion
More on: connecticut, massachusetts, mohegan
   

Artist's rendering of proposed $1.3 billion Mohegan Sun casino in Massachusetts. Image from Mohegan Sun Massachusetts

Columnist accuses the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut -- and non-Indian billionaire Steve Wynn -- of violating Massachusetts gaming law by making campaign contributions:
Mohegan Sun, in the midst of a fight for a Boston-area casino license, donated $5,000 to the Democratic Governors Association, a group that’s already contributed nearly $350,000 to a super PAC attack campaign targeting GOP candidate Charlie Baker.

The Boston Globe reported yesterday that casino developer Steve Wynn, who is in direct competition with Mohegan Sun, made a $200,000 donation to the Republican Governors Association last December.

A group seeking to repeal the legalization of casino gaming in the Bay State says the donations give casino interests a leg up with whoever winds up running for the Corner Office — potentially influencing a nominee’s positions or statements.

“As a ballot campaign such as ours, we are prohibited from coordinating with candidates or backing candidates,” said Darek Barcikowski, the campaign manager for the Repeal the Casino Deal, a ballot question seeking to make gambling illegal in Massachusetts. “This rigs the playing field.”

It’s illegal for casino license applicants to donate money or services to political candidates or groups or organizations that have been organized in support of the political candidates, according to the Massachusetts gambling law.

Get the Story:
Hilary Chabot: Mohegan money went to Democrats (The Boston Herald 8/12)

Related Stories:
Tribes outspent in lobbying race over casinos in Massachusetts (07/15)
Mohegan Tribe signs agreement for Massachusetts casino bid (07/11)

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