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JUNE 15, 2001

Contrary to a report published in the Boston Globe, Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) did not call for an investigation into a billion dollar deal the Mohegan Tribe made with its gaming investors, said a spokesperson on Thursday.

What McCain did suggest was a hearing on general gaming issues, said McCain spokesperson Nancy Ives. He has not looked into the Mohegan deal at all, she added.

In a front page story published yesterday, the Globe reported that McCain wanted a hearing into the tribe's $1 billion payout to Trading Cove Associates. "It's clearly a subject for a hearing before the Indian Affairs Committee," McCain was quoted as saying.

A Globe reporter was observed talking to McCain during an official recess during Wednesday's confirmation hearing for Bureau of Indian Affairs nominee Neal McCaleb. The Globe reported that the Mohegan deal "came up" during the hearing, although no member of the Indian Affairs Committee -- McCain included -- mentioned the issue in any of their oral statements.

The reporter also spoke with Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.) and Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii). Both were reported as saying they would investigate the Mohegan deal and would discuss with McCain "his call for hearings."

Inouye, however, left the hearing prior to McCain's arrival. The Globe reporter does not make clear if he contacted Inouye after speaking with McCain, or if he spoke with McCain about the Mohegan deal prior to Wednesday morning's hearing.

On a related issue, a representative of the Nipmuc Nation of Massachusetts is disputing remarks the Globe attributed to McCaleb. In the same article, McCaleb was said to have "hinted" he would overturn a Clinton administration decision to recognize the tribe.

Get the Story:
McCain Disputes Casino Story (The Hartford Courant 6/15)

Relevant Links:
Mohegan Sun - http://www.mohegansun.com
Mohegan Tribe - http://www.mohegan.nsn.us

Related Stories:
Mohegan deal being questioned (6/14)
In The Hoop: Neal McCaleb Confirmation Hearing(6/14)
Gover now complains about Mohegan deal (5/14)