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APRIL 16, 2001

According to two Milwaukee Journal Sentinel columnists, federal authorities are investigating whether former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson helped push along an Indian casino deal knowing it would benefit one of his former aides.

Columnists Cary Spivak and Dan Bice on Sunday said William McCoshen and his lobbying firm would receive $46.5 million should the Menominee Nation succeed in building an off-reservation casino in Kenosha. The Bureau of Indian Affairs has so far given positive reviews of the proposal, but it has not yet been finalized nor approved by current Governor Scott McCallum.

McCallum opposes expansion of gaming in the state.

McCoshen was Thompson's chief of staff from 1992-1994, ran Thompson's third reelection campaign and was his state commerce secretary until 1998.

Menominee tribal leaders told Spivak and Bice they were shocked when they found out last fall the nature of the agreement between Nii-Jii Entertainment and McCoshen's lobbying firm. Nii-Jii is pushing the casino and wants to manage it.

Thompson is now Secretary of Health and Human Services. A spokesman denied he had knowledge of the deal.

Get the Story:
Spivak & Bice: Cozy deal sets up big casino payout (The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 4/15)