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MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2002

The way Joe DeLorenzo, a former Rhode Island state legislator, tells it, he was just being nice when he arranged a meeting between the Narragansett Tribe and a casino company.

But everyone else tells a different story about DeLorenzo's involvement in a deal that never quite made it. Tribal officials and executives from Harrah's Entertainment describe how he did more than just bring the two parties together, he urged them to become partners.

And when the deal didn't materialize, he said the tribe's casino push would fail, according to one tribal official. DeLorenzo denies pressuring the tribe and says he was just being "helpful."

The tribe has teamed up with long-time partner Boyd Gaming to try and get a casino before voters this November.

Get the Story:
How did Harrah's come to R.I.? Stories contrast (The Providence Journal 3/16)

Relevant Links:
Narragansett Tribe - http://www.narragansett-tribe.org
Boyd Gaming - http://www.boydgaming.com

Related Stories:
R.I. tribe opposes study (3/15)
R.I. gaming study proposed (3/14)
Narragansett casino could be threat (2/12)
Narragansett Tribe launches casino bid (2/11)
Narragansett teams with old partner (2/7)
Narragansett Tribe plans casino pitch (11/21)
Tribe settles gaming contract dispute (5/22)
Casino supporters continue fight (9/5)
Narragansetts drop gaming options 07/07)
Naragansetts want housing not gaming 7/7)
Narragansett supporters rally 6/28)
Narragansett bill killed 6/26)
Supporters dream of casino 6/22)
Narragansett casino dealt setback 6/21)
Narragansett offer does not impress 6/15)
Narragansett Chief: Let public speak (6/14)
Tribe offers more to state 06/13)
Tribe to up ante (6/07)
Narragansett face opponents (5/23)
Vote wanted on Narragansett casino (5/22)
Narragansett could lose out on casino (5/19)
EDITORIAL: No to casinos in Rhode Island (5/15)
Narragansetts hope for casino (5/08)
Legislature questions Narragansett casino (4/12)
Narragansett Tribe faces difficult battle (4/07)