The Verifiable Truth

Waikiki Casino Advocates: An Unlikely Coincidence or In Cahoots?

2012-02-01T08:00:00.089-08:00

Radcliffe & So-called Citizens Group Both Report

Expenditures of $39,093.10

Is it mere coincidence or in cahoots that Citizens for a Better Way and Radcliffe & Associates both reported expenditures totaling $39,093.10 for the period ended April 30, 2011?

Background
John Radcliffe, a lobbyist for gambling interests and vice president with Capitol Consultants of Hawaii, re-established his defunct Radcliffe & Associates in February 2011. In April 2011, he switched his representation of Marketing Resource Group (MRG) from Capitol Consultants of Hawaii to Radcliffe & Associates. MRG is the Lansing-based PR/Political firm representing Marian Ilitch and Michael J. Malik, Sr., founders of Detroit's MotorCity Casino. Those casino syndicators have pursued plans to develop a Waikiki casino. Radcliffe has represented MRG and its Detroit gambling clients for the better part of the last decade. Records reviewed by TVT, suggest that MRG was the only Radcliffe & Associates client during the period ended April 30, 2011. For the period ending April 30, 2011, Radcliffe & Associates reported "other disbursements" of $39,093.10 (see disclosure below). Radcliffe did not disclose who received those payments nor has he disclosed where the nearly $40,000 he paid came from.

Coincidentally, or not, in April 2011, a so-called "citizens" advocacy group supporting plans by Radcliffe's clients to build a Waikiki casino appeared out of nowhere on the political landscape. A woman with a questionable past, Liz Watanabe, was said to be the organizer of Citizens for a Better Way (CFBW). However, it's clear that Radcliffe and his associates had their hand in the creation of the group. Radcliffe has denied to reporters any role in organizing, managing or funding the organization. He clearly mislead Honolulu's press corps. Among other things, an associate at Radcliffe's Capitol Consultants lobbying firm established and owns the CFBW website. In April, CFBW launched and reportedly paid for a sophisticated lobbying campaign, including robo-calls to voters, designed to urge Hawaii's legislators to approve the stand-alone Waikiki casino scheme promoted by Radcliffe's and his clients. The campaign was very similar to other political advertising campaigns launched by Marketing Resource Group in various communities where the Detroit casino syndicators have interests. Nothing in Watanabe's background suggests she has any experience or familiarity with such sophisticated paid political advertising efforts

And coincidentally, or not, CFWB also reports spending $39,093.10 during the period ended April 30, 2012 (see disclosure below). It's not clear who received the payments from Watanabe/CFBW, or where she got the nearly $40,000 she reports spending. What is clear is that Watanabe, who filed an individual $387,000 bankruptcy just weeks later, didn't use her own money.

Did Radcliffe provide Watanabe with nearly $40,000? Did Watanabe pay Marketing Resource Group (MRG) or its usual vendors to carry out the political advertising campaign? Where did Radcliffe & Associates come by funds it spent? Since Marketing Resource Group is seemingly the only Radcliffe & Associates client, it would make sense that the funds expended by Radcliffe came from MRG. However, MRG only disclosed paying Radcliffe $11,890.21 during the period ended April 30, 2011?

You be the judge: was it a coincidence that both Radcliffe & Associates and Citizens for a Better Way both reported spending exactly $39,093.10 or are John Radcliffe/Marketing Resource group in cahoots with Liz Watanabe? If you believe they are in cahoots, then you should urge the Hawaii Ethics Commission and/or Hawaii's Attorney General to look into the matter because clearly they've participated in a conspiracy.

Official Disclosure Filings
Radcliffe Assoc Lobbying Expenses - Period Ended 2011.04.30

CFBW Lobbying Expenditures - Period Ended 2011.04.30

Blogger: Sault Tribe's Lansing Casino Won't Happen; Mayor Irresponsibly Dangles Economic Carrot

2012-01-31T14:24:00.003-08:00

Turtle Talk

Commentary on Sault Tribe’s Proposed Lansing Casino
1.23.2012

I can’t not say anything, since this proposed casino is in our own backyard. But seriously? The mayor says in 12-24 months he expects construction to start, and then another year or so after that there will be a fully functioning Indian casino in Lansing.

Wow.

We’re going to predict that it won’t happen. No chance.

Off-reservation Indian gaming is the most hotly-contested, politicized issue in American Indian affairs right now and maybe forever. Think of the interests arrayed against a Lansing casino, let alone one owned by an Indian tribe. The Detroit casinos will be opposed because it will cut into their bottom lines, and the entire City of Detroit, the Michigan Congressional delegation, the unions,everyone will throw their weight against this casino proposal...

Of course, I’m no political scientist. Politics is money (see Citizens United) and anything can happen, including a backlash against Indian gaming that persuades Congress to ban off-reservation gaming. But the mayor’s three years is a dream, and kind of sick thing to promise to people in Lansing who might believe the mayor and see this as a real possibility for improving their lives. (Complete Blog Post)

Long Island Citizens Opposed to Detroiters' Belmont Casino Plans will meet Thursday, Feb. 2

2012-01-30T11:00:00.002-08:00

A group organized to stop plans by Detroiters to use the Shinnecock Indian Nation to develop a casino complex at the famed Belmont Racetrack on Long Island will hold a community meeting on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012 at 5:30PM, Floral Park Recreation Center, 124 Stewart Street, Floral Park, New York. Information about the group is available at StopTheBelmontCasino.org or on Facebook at "Stop the Belmont Casino."

Opponents of Detroiters' Belmont Casino Plans Using Facebook

2012-01-30T09:14:00.002-08:00

Long Island citizen activists have organized to fight plans by Detroiters Michael J. Malik, Sr. and Marian Ilitch to develop a casino & entertainment complex using the Shinnecock Indian Nation at the Belmont Racetrack on Long Island. To support their efforts, opponents of the Belmont Casino have developed a facebook page. Click the graphic below to "Like" the page and stay informed.

Also visit: StopTheBelmontCasino.com

Mayor Heralds Off-Reservation Casino Schemes in Lansing; Then Uses Racial Slurs to Attack Native American Opponents

2012-01-30T08:00:00.001-08:00

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero recently announced a plan to bring a $245 million tribal casino to downtown Lansing. The casino would be adjacent to the Lansing Center near Cedar Street and Michigan Avenue. However, there's nothing to suggest that the Sault Ste Marie tribe of Chippewa Indians has the necessary state and federal approvals to build any off-reservations casino.

In fact, the former chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission has recently opined such would be illegal under current guidelines.

Bernero subsequently came under fire for what two Michigan tribes described as a string of anti-Indian racial slurs at a fund-raising speech last week, denied Monday that he directed his remarks toward Americans Indians, but apologized “to any and all who were offended by my choice of words.”

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Candidate for San Bernardino County Supervisor comments on Barstow Casinos

2012-01-29T08:04:00.000-08:00

From the Mojave Free Press...

James Ramos, candidate for San Bernardino County 3rd District Supervisor, on proposals for casinos in Barstow, CA. He is the former chairman of the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians

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Hawaii Gambling Advocates Push for Slots at Honolulu Convention Center

2012-01-27T09:02:00.001-08:00

Hawaii gaming supporter wants to place slot machines at Honolulu convention center
1.25.2012

By Howard Stutz

If it’s January, then it’s time for another casino gaming proposal to surface in Hawaii.

Gambling proponents believe Honolulu’s 15-year-old convention center would be the perfect location for slot machine casino. Revenues from the games would help pay for a renovation to the facility.

Randy Tanaka, the assistant general manager of the convention center told KITV News, Honolulu’s ABC affiliate, that he was not aware anyone was pushing gaming proposals for the center.

“It’s news to me,” said Tanaka.

Hawaii is one just two states, along with Utah, that does not have any form of legalized gaming.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority said it has not taken a position on gambling, but longtime gambling supporter Joe Souki told the TV station the convention center is under consideration.

“There is some possibility we could put it there and start it off quickly,” said the Maui lawmaker.

Souki has introduced a bill for a stand-alone entertainment center and casino. It calls for a single casino, centrally located in Waikiki and not attached to any hotel.

Other bills in the Hawaii Legislature would allow Internet gambling, slot machines in resort areas and at the Honolulu International Airport.

In the past gaming legalization bills have faced stiff opposition from opponents.

Blogger's Note: Gambling lobbyist John Radcliffe and his clients Detroit gambling industry clients have previously floated the idea of converting some or all of the existing Convention Center space into a gambling and entertainment venue. The Detroit gambling interests have some experience converting existing space into gambling use and they have experience working with publicly owned arenas and convention centers.

Editorial: Lansing casino would be a lousy bet for Michigan

2012-01-25T09:14:00.008-08:00

EDITORIAL

By Editors, Detroit Free Press

As only the most recent arrivals in the long line of players looking for a piece of Michigan's casino gambling action, Lansing and Mayor Virg Bernero should know better.

Artist's Rendering: Proposed Kewadin Lansing Casino

Michigan voters made it quite clear (58%-42%) in 2004 that they did not want more gambling in the state unless any expansion was subject to a statewide vote. Ever since, casino dreamers have tried to build upon the constitutional amendment's only exemption, which allows tribal gambling over which the state has virtually no control anyway.

But tribal casinos are restricted to their own reservations. Every tribe that has tried to work around that restriction to date has come up empty-handed. The most recent attempt, a casino in Vanderbilt that the Bay Mills tribe opened in 2010, shut down after a federal court ruled against it. Earlier attempts included asking Congress to sign off on tribal casinos in Port Huron and Romulus, an effort that fell short.

Now Bernero is entering the same fray with the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians at his side. They will either have to go to Congress or hope that the Bay Mills tribe eventually wins its court case in further hearings and sets a new precedent for defining reservation land. But neither the federal courts nor Congress should fall for the dubious logic involved.

Unless a casino can become a major destination for out-of-state travelers, it largely churns local money and removes much of it from the economy. Casinos rank as economic development tools only as part of a mix of entertainment options or, if properly promoted, as a lure for visitors. If Michigan were to develop a statewide casino strategy, Port Huron would probably better fit the development bill as the only border town without a casino.

Lansing residents -- and Michigan State students -- are already within an hour's drive of two of Michigan's 22 Indian casinos. They are hardly out of range of Detroit's casinos, either.

Presumably Bernero and the Sault tribe have marketing studies to back up their estimates of $250 million in annual revenue, with at least $5 million returned directly to the city. (By way of comparison, Detroit's casinos were estimated to have revenues of $1.4 billion in 2011 -- a figure they may never match again if a Toledo casino opens in April, as planned.) Certainly Lansing, like virtually every city in Michigan, would delight in the projected 1,500 new jobs.

But if Lansing succeeds, it will create a precedent not just for itself but for every other city that thinks a casino is the answer to its prayers. Michigan's voters have already said they don't want to go that route -- and praying for salvation via a casino is only a reminder of how desperate people become in tough economic times.

Related Links:

Blogger’s NOTE: Odd that owners of Detroit’s MGM Grand Casino and Greektown Casino have expressed opposition to plans for a Lansing casino while Marian Ilitch, owner of Detroit’s MotorCity Casino, has remained silent? Not really, since Ilitch and her family’s partner Michael J. Malik, Sr., have pursued plans for casinos in Port Huron and elsewhere for more than 20 years. In fact, their plans for a Port Huron casino might be tied to plans by the Sault tribe proposal for Lansing.

But 54% Think Gambling in Hawaii Would Have Overall Negative Impact

2012-01-24T11:01:00.001-08:00

Survey shows support for casino

1.20.2012

By Derrick DePledge

Three-quarters of people in a new survey say they would visit an entertainment center in Waikiki that had showrooms, movie theaters and a casino.

The Waikiki Improvement Association paid for the survey to measure local perceptions about the state's primary tourism destination. The results will likely be used to reinforce arguments by gaming interests that the state should legalize gambling.

Hawaii and Utah are the only two states without some form of gambling. Several proposals, including a Waikiki casino, have been floated at the Legislature without success.

The survey, conducted among 1,000 people statewide by SMS Research & Marketing Services, found that 76 percent would be very or somewhat likely to visit an entertainment center with a casino developed in Waikiki. The survey was taken by telephone between Nov. 15 and Dec. 22. The margin of error was 3.1 percentage points...

People who responded to the survey were divided about the merits of legalizing gambling. Fifty-eight percent said they believe gambling would be positive for the state's economy. But 54 percent think gambling would have a negative impact overall.

Many people who favor a casino are lifelong residents, according to the survey, while many opposed have lived in the islands for less than five years.

Egged said the Waikiki Improvement Association has not taken a position on gambling and is not advocating any specific casino development project.

State House and Senate leaders have said that they expect gambling bills to be debated but doubt legislation to legalize gambling would pass this session.

"There's enough to do in Waikiki without a casino," said state Senate Majority Leader Brickwood Galuteria (D, Downtown-Waikiki). "But the question of gaming is not going to go away."

State Rep. Tom Brower (D, Waikiki-Ala Moana), chairman of the House Tourism Committee, said lawmakers should be open to a discussion about a Waikiki casino. He said he has visited well-executed casinos in Singapore, Macau and the Philippines.

"In order to compete, I think we have to consider gambling," he said. (Complete Story)

Opinion: New York Betting Too Much on Gambling

2012-01-22T14:13:00.001-08:00

Suffolk Closeup: Betting on a casino

1.21.2012

By Karl Grossman

The current issue of New York magazine speaks of Governor Andrew Cuomo seeking “gambling everywhere.” That’s a bit of an exaggeration. In his recent State of the State speech, Mr. Cuomo called for a change in the state constitution to allow for non-Indian, off-reservation casinos in New York, which currently prohibits them. It’s not “gambling everywhere” but the governor does want a major expansion of legalized gambling.

“Cuomo Bets On A Casino” was the headline in Newsday. It referred specifically to Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens as a place where the governor wants to see a big casino.

A casino there would be a problem for the Shinnecock Indian Nation, which wants to build a casino at nearby Belmont Park in Elmont. Newsday quoted State Senator Jack Martins of Mineola as saying a casino at Aqueduct would “effectively kill” plans for a Shinnecock casino at Belmont. A broader concern is whether or not the legalized gambling market is being saturated by casinos opening all over the nation, -Native American and non-Indian.

Mr. Cuomo is betting on a big financial boost for New York State through a major expansion of legalized gambling here but the market has its limits.

The day of Mr. Cuomo’s State of the State speech, the New York Times reported on the “hopes of reviving Atlantic City.” Gambling revenue was down in Atlantic City, the Times reported, and there’s hope that a new $2.4 billion resort and casino, being built with state financial help, will “usher in a new era for Atlantic City.”

“Atlantic City has been in decline since 2006,” the Times reported, “when Pennsylvania opened its first casino, beginning a slow bleed of gamblers that have never returned. With rival casinos opening in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland and upstate New York, there is little Atlantic City can do to stop the loss …”

This spread of gambling has not only hurt Atlantic City but Las Vegas, too, and severely. Factor in the impact of the recession on gambling and it would seem the industry is in trouble. So how can New York State figure on a big win?

But that’s the dream -or illusion-, not only in New York but other areas of the nation. A Times story last month reported on the Florida Legislature considering three “Las Vegas-style casino resorts” in south Florida to offset the economic downturn following the burst of Florida’s big real estate bubble.

Meanwhile, what about gambling as a way for Indian tribes to break out of centuries of economic hard times? That was the basis of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, the federal law that set up a system under which Native Americans were given the go-ahead -and structure- to develop gambling.

It was a kind of long-delayed reparation for Native Americans for the loss of their homeland and culture and it has made some tribes-, including several in Connecticut-, super-wealthy.

These days, if you take a drive on the stretch of New Mexico between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, you’ll come upon a gambling casino every few miles, in front of each Indian pueblo, with few cars in their parking lots. And in recent years, with non-Indians being allowed to get into gambling elsewhere, it’s not just intra-Indian competition that’s diluting the market.

Although legalized gambling had to come, it’s a problematic activity for society. There are the high-rollers at casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City and Connecticut. My impression of the bulk of bettors, however, is that they are desperate people who mostly play the one-armed bandits, dumping in their quarters, hoping for a bonanza.

For society to benefit by drawing money from legalized gambling- as it cannot from illegal gambling- is one thing. But to promote it, subsidize it and depend on it is another.

Then there’s the over-expansion, and the consequent cost to Native Americans including the Shinnecocks, who have had it tough economically for centuries and only recently achieved federal tribal recognition. They had been hoping for some payback, finally. Now the house may be rigging the game against them.

Opponents of Detroiters' Belmont Casino Plans Launch Website

2012-01-22T11:08:00.002-08:00

A Long Island citizens group opposing plans by Detroiters Marian Ilitch and Michael J. Malik, Sr., to build a casino complex in partnership with the Shinnecock Indian Nation at the famed Belmont Racetrack have organized as "Stop the Belmont Casino" and established a website, StopTheBelmontCasino.com.

StopTheBelmontCasino.com

The citizens' group has also created a facebook page.

Former NIGC Chair Opines Sault Tribe's Plans for Lansing Casino are Illegal

2012-01-22T10:30:00.001-08:00

In this letter below, Phil Hogen, former chair of the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC), opines on plans by the Sault St. Marie tribe of Chippewa Indians to develop an off-reservation casino in Lansing Michigan.

In conclusions, Hogen writes:

In view of my experience as the longest-serving Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission, I was asked to review this matter by the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan, whose concern for integrity in the Indian gaming industry I share. Unless it is first determined that lands where tribes conduct their gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act truly qualify as Indian Lands, that integrity is at peril, and all concerned need to observe and uphold the applicable laws.

Phil Hogen Letter Re Lansing Casino

Ilitch Holdings hires another spin-meister

2012-01-21T11:03:00.001-08:00

Strachan Joins Ilitch Holdings as Communications Manager

1.20.2012

DETROIT /PRNewswire/ -- The appointment of Carly Strachan as communications manager for Ilitch Holdings, Inc. was announced today by Karen Cullen, vice president of Corporate Relations.

"Carly brings more than 10 years of communications experience to Ilitch Holdings," said Cullen. "She has a wide variety of media relations and marketing communications experience for large-scale events and entertainment, non-profit organizations and development projects that will contribute greatly to our team and help us meet our goals both internally and externally as we continue to grow our organization."

Previously, Strachan served as account manager at lovio george | communications + design, a Midtown Detroit-based agency, where she provided media relations, marketing and advertising services for clients such as the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy, The Parade Company (Target Fireworks and America's ThanksgivingParade®), Hudson-Webber Foundation, Cranbrook and Midtown, Inc. At lovio george, she also provided marketing communications support for some of Detroit's major sporting events including Super Bowl XL through Detroit's Host Committee and the 35th Ryder Cup Matches and 90th PGA Championship with the PGA of America.

Her additional experience includes providing public relations and marketing support at Munro & Foster Communications in London, England and Great Lakes Crossing Outlets in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

Strachan is a resident of Detroit and earned a bachelor's degree in integrated public relations from Central Michigan University. She is a member of the marketing and 313 committees for the Detroit Historical Society's Past>Forward Campaign, as well as a volunteer committee member for the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy and a longtime member of Detroit Synergy.

Long Island Residents Organize to Battle Detroiters' Belmont Casino Plans

2012-01-14T09:02:00.001-08:00

Floral Parkers Lead Grassroots Effort to Stop Belmont Casino

1.13.2012

by Melissa Argueta

Residents initiate petition drive, letter-writing campaign to local and state officials

Is a plan to erect a casino at Belmont Park a safe bet or a bust? Droves of concerned Floral Parkers filed into the United Methodist Church at a Stop the Belmont Casino community meeting on Wednesday night to discuss this hot-button issue and how any future plans for a casino at the racetrack can be stopped.

How would a casino surrounding the communities of Elmont and Floral Park affect residents? Edwin Groshanz, Duncan MacDonald and Robert Moran are leading the grassroots-style campaign against the casino being built at Belmont. At the meeting, they provided facts and figures about how casinos can negatively impact the surrounding areas and how residents can join together to vocalize their opposition to local, state and federal politicians.

Floral Park resident Edwin Groshanz speaks at the Stop the Belmont Casino community meeting.

This fall, Detroit developers rolled out preliminary renderings for a casino at Belmont to residents in the Elmont community on behalf of the Shinnecock Indian Nation. However, all propositions came to a screeching halt after Governor Cuomo’s recent State of the State Address, where he touted his own plans for legalizing gambling in New York State and building the nation’s largest convention center and casino at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Groshanz said the group began with a team of three Floral Park residents. They held their first meeting in December and have already developed a website and created a facebook page. “We’re making decent progress and we’ve had some very nice wins in a very short time that are good for us, but I think the focus on tonight is that we don’t want to rest. We don’t want to watch and listen to what we’re seeing in the paper and take that as truth,” he explained.

Announcing plans for a petition drive and letter-writing campaign, Groshanz explained how residents can contact state and federal legislators opposing the casino. “By doing these simple steps, we’ll wind up getting, hopefully, several thousand letters to all legislators at all levels of our government...on top of that we’ll get a groundswell of community groups in support of us and we’ll get media attention,” he added.

During the evening, Groshanz cited various studies on the subject of casinos in communities. He explained that his view of casinos is not his opinion, but derived from the statistics and studies on communities where casinos open. Specifically, he noted increased crime, traffic and pollution and decreased property values. “I think the only way we can prevent those ills, crime, resource utilization, adolescent gambling, is to make it loud and clear to our legislators that we don’t want it. It’s unacceptable and it’s not part of our life and we don’t want it coming into our community,” he said.

Groshanz maintained that despite Govenor Cuomo’s recent announcement to build a casino at Aqueduct Racetrack, there is no guarantee Belmont won’t be considered in the future as a casino site.

“For three years, people in Mineola and people in Albany have not been looking out for our best interests. We can’t afford to rest; the time for action is now; and the time to strike is when the iron is hot and we got this iron hot a month ago and we can’t sit back and rest,” he said.

Duncan McDonald emphasized that Aqueduct could fail for many reasons such as environmental regulations. “Legislation is the key thing…the whole game is the bill in Albany. It’s not the [Shinnecock] Indian Nation. It’s what the state permits. In the worst case, it could be that gambling casinos could be anywhere they want — Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn or inside the lobby of St. Patrick’s Cathedral,” he said.

While the Stop the Belmont Casino meeting is not affiliated in any way with the Village of Floral Park, Groshanz asked concerned citizens to attend the next board of trustees meeting at Village Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 17. The group intends to ask for the village’s help in obtaining a handicapped accessible room and various other administrative needs. “We’d like the village to support the things that we’re doing,” he added.

While Mayor Tom Tweedy did not attend the meeting, he has stated the village’s position against the casino in this week’s Mayor’s Message. Trustee Jim Rhatigan was in attendance and informed residents that in the summer 2007, under the auspices of then Mayor Phil Guarnieri, the village established an Ad-Hoc Committee called the Taskforce for Belmont’s Preservation and Improvement. They created a Statement of Principles to address 10 concerns regarding the development of Belmont Racetrack. “That statement of principles is still available on the village’s website,” he said.

Rhatigan encouraged residents to attend the next village board meeting to discuss the issue further. “We welcome as much participation in local government as possible; fill the hall. We will note all your comments and take heed of your comments,” he added.

To learn more about this effort or to be added to the email list, visit stopthebelmontcasino.com; or via facebook at Stop the Belmont Casino.

Ex-Gov. Waihee names former Hawaiian Affairs CEO to head Native Roll Commission

2012-01-07T17:03:00.003-08:00

OHA's former top officer appointed executive director of Native Hawaiian Roll Commission

1.06.2012

HONOLULU — The former chief executive officer of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs has been appointed executive director of a commission responsible for preparing and maintaining a roll of qualified Native Hawaiians interested in participating in their own government.

Commission Chair and former Gov. John Waihee said Thursday Clyde Namuo's appointment was effective at the beginning of the year.

Namuo will be responsible for overseeing daily operations of the roll commission. He'll be serving without pay.

The commission was established by the 2011 Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Neil Abercrombie.

Namuo retired at the end of last year after a decade of serving as OHA's top officer.

Shinnecock casino plans up in the air following Gov. Cuomo's speech; Local support wavering

2012-01-06T10:00:00.002-08:00

After guv's speech, tribe eyes next move

1.05.2012

Leaders of the Shinnecock Indian Nation huddled Thursday to consider their next steps after Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced a $4 billion plan to build a convention center at Aqueduct Racetrack, a move that threatens the tribe's planned casino at Belmont Park.

Randy King, chairman of the Shinnecock trustees, said the tribe's gaming authority was meeting with tribal trustees on the Southampton reservation to consider the implications of Cuomo's State of the State message, in which he touted the convention center as well as his plan to amend the constitution to legalize non-Indian gaming in the state. Genting New York, a Malaysian company that operates a racino at Aqueduct, wants to have a full casino there.

"What everyone needs to realize is that we made a commitment to local, state and federal officials to move to Belmont" in lieu of a plan to open a casino on tribal land in the Hamptons, King said.

Meanwhile, support for the tribe's Elmont plan, first heralded as an "ideal location" last May by Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano, was wavering. "I'd pretty much say a casino is dead at Belmont," said Joe Rizza, a spokesman for state Sen. Jack Martins (R-Mineola), who has been a vocal supporter of the tribe's plans.

One Suffolk County legislator Thursday urged the tribe to instead turn its attention to that county, and tribal leaders made plans to meet with newly installed Suffolk Executive Steve Bellone.

"We certainly want to see the tribe succeed, and we can use more economic development in Suffolk County," said Jon Schneider, deputy county executive for intergovernmental affairs.

Scott Reif, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre), declined to discuss the Belmont casino, which the majority leader previously supported, but said Skelos "will continue to do everything he can to achieve the best possible plan for developing Belmont, so we can create good jobs and help the surrounding communities."

Mangano was noncommital Thursday. "The county executive has made arrangements with the governor to better understand his plan and its effect on Belmont," Mangano spokesman Brian Nevin said.

The tribe also appeared to be facing a prospective opponent in Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray, who had appeared onstage with Mangano when Belmont was announced.

In a publicly released letter to a Floral Park resident dated Dec. 29, Murray said she had "profound concerns" with Nassau's "stated intention" for a Belmont casino.

Her spokesman, Michael Deery, said, "If you are asking whether the supervisor supports [a casino] . . . that faces the doors of Floral Park High School, the answer would be no, she doesn't support that."He said any such plan "has to have the support of all the communities that surround the park, and that would include Floral Park."

But King isn't giving up on Belmont. "We hope the governor takes the same leadership position he has taken with the commercialized gaming community and sits down with the Shinnecock Nation to finally resolve the gaming vision we have," he said.

Suffolk Legis. Wayne Horsley (D-Babylon), who heads a Suffolk task force on gaming, urged the tribe to move ahead quickly with a project in Suffolk. "Suffolk is the Shinnecocks' opportunity," he said.

The tribe recently voted to reject gaming contracts with its financial backer Gateway Casino Resorts. It must finalize those, or find a new developer, before it works out a state gaming compact with Cuomo."I'm confident we can work through those issues with Gateway," King said.

Gov. Cuomo's plan could "effectively kill" Gateway's vision for Belmont Racetrack casino

2012-01-05T16:55:00.005-08:00

Cuomo plan threatens Belmont casino

1.04.2012

by TED PHILLIPS

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's plan to build the nation's largest convention center and possibly a casino at Aqueduct Racetrack would "effectively kill" plans for a Shinnecock Indian casino at Belmont Park, a Long Island state senator said Wednesday.

Cuomo's emphasis on Aqueduct, in nearby Ozone Park, Queens, "would make it less likely that a casino would be viable at Belmont, but certainly opens up all kinds of possibilities for redevelopment," said Sen. Jack Martins (R-Mineola), who has pushed for a casino or other development at Belmont...

Randy King, chairman of the Shinnecock tribal trustees, said the tribe "hopes and expects" that Cuomo's gaming plans include Indian casinos, including those the tribe hopes to build at Belmont and in Yaphank.

King said casinos at Belmont Park, in Elmont, and Aqueduct could benefit each other. "The synergies can play off each other and work, so that there's room for more than one casino," King said. "As the governor is moving to the next level in his plan for the state, we're more than ready to move to the next level ourselves..." (Complete Story)

Long Island Civic Group Opposes Casino at Belmont Racetrack

2011-12-31T16:38:00.011-08:00

WECA Opposes Belmont Ractrack Casino

12.30.2011

A resolution was recently passed by the West End Civic Association, Floral Park’s oldest association founded in 1920, to protect the interests of the residents of Floral Park, particularly the West End residents, who have a very high percentage of voters in all local, state and national elections and pay close attention to local civil matters.

“It has come to the attention of the membership that there are some individual politicians and officer holders who are supporting the creation of a gambling casino controlled and run by a tribe of American Indians on the grounds of a Belmont Race Track and we understand that Belmont Race Track has faced financial difficulties and we desire to maintain Belmont Race Track as the premier racing facility in the United States.

“Such a casino project run by any American Indian Tribe would irreparably damage our neighborhood and our quality of life and the quality of life for our children and generations yet to come.”

“It was resolved that the membership assembled unanimously request that elected public officials oppose any such project which would involve a gambling casino under the control of or run by an American Indian Tribe. We urge our members, their families and friends to write their elected public officials asking them to publicly state their strong and unbending opposition to an American Indian Trible running a casino at Belmont Race Track.

“Our Association offers to convey a copy of this resolution to all elected government officials, especially our State Senator Jack Martins and request that he enlist the entire Nassau Delegation in the New York State Senate to oppose any such casino both through public statements and through their vote to defeat any such proposal that comes before the New York State Senate and to further direct our officers to report back to the membership through the newsletter, which goes to each West End home and through the local weekly papers, which officials support, oppose or remain silent on this issue so we can vote appropriately in the future selecting our elected officials.”

Shinnecock Coalition for Answers Wants Class-II Gaming now on Southampton Reservation; Independent Counsel Examining Pacts with Gateway Casino Resorts

2011-12-22T15:02:00.000-08:00

Shinnecock pushes for smaller-scale gaming

12.21.2011

By Mark Harrington

Now that factions of the Shinnecock Indian Nation voted to block approval of gaming pacts with the tribe's Detroit backers, some on the Southampton reservation are making the strongest push yet to begin class-II gaming such as bingo.

The Shinnecocks' formal efforts in gaming thus far have focused on large-scale casinos with table games such as blackjack and poker -- casinos that require a state compact and layers of federal approval. Those ambitions are still years away.

But small-scale class-II gaming efforts such as bingo halls could take place on the reservation now, one former tribal leader said. He's one of many members urging Shinnecock leaders to use the tribe's federally recognized status to reconsider low-level gaming immediately.

"It's ridiculous that we would sit and wait another three to five years for gaming to come, when we could be doing small-scale gaming now," said Lance Gumbs, a former tribal trustee who is part of a group called the Shinnecock Coalition for Answers that last week championed the vote to block pacts with Gateway Casino Resorts.

Gumbs said he envisions a simple, even temporary structure erected on the tribal Powwow grounds in the center of the reservation for a bingo parlor. "We're talking about what the church is doing down the street," he said.

But Randy King, chairman of the tribal trustees, the Shinnecock's official government, said the tribe would continue on its course for larger-scale, class-III gaming.

"The current plan is to discuss alternative locations west of the reservation in more suitable areas," he said of the tribe's plans for casinos at Belmont Park and in Yaphank, among others. "We hope to discuss all of this with the governor's office shortly."

Tribal leaders have worked out arrangements with local politicians to keep gaming west of County Road 105 near Westhampton, with the promise of political support. Rep. Tim Bishop (D-Southampton) is among those party to the agreement.

"Congressman Bishop calls on the Shinnecock Nation to consult with the Southampton Town Board and other local government entities if they reach the decision as a tribe to pursue a Class II gaming facility such as a bingo hall on the reservation," said Bishop spokesman Oliver Longwell.

Eagerness to start some sort of gaming has reached such a level that the tribe was forced to issue a cease and desist letter to shop owners who attempted to open Internet gaming cafes on the reservation last month, several sources close to the tribe said.

On a higher level, the push for a tribal bingo parlor is a sign of impatience with the pace of economic progress on the cash-strapped reservation, and a push for broader participation in decision making.

On Monday night, the Shinnecock tribal council, an advisory body which has retained a private law firm to review the contracts with Gateway Casino Resorts that were voted down last week, met to discuss concerns about that vote.

Among them: that 1,100 Shinnecock members who do not live on the reservation were prevented from voting; only 36 hours' notice was given before the vote; and what the long-term implications of the vote itself were, according to a person who attended.

King said the trustees won't discuss or negotiate such internal tribal matters in the media.

Beverly Jensen, a spokeswoman for the tribe, said she believed last week's vote and the need for future discussions were part of the tribe's evolution now that federal recognition is in place.

"It's about the birth of a nation, for real," she said.

More on the Shinnecock Intra-Tribal Feud and Mike Malik's Wedge

2011-12-22T08:07:00.005-08:00

A story published 4.13.2011 in the Southampton Press about the run-off election for Shinnecock Tribal Trustee between Fred Bess and Lance Gumbs, gives some insight into the current circumstances at play among the Shinnecock Indians.

Mr. Bess and Mr. Gumbs have butted heads in recent years over the direction the tribe’s casino effort should take, and the split votes hint at rival camps within the tribe over the proposal. Some tribe members have said that Mr. Bess is seen as the favorite of financial backer Michael Malik—a casino developer from Detroit who has spent millions of dollars to bankroll the tribe’s marathon legal battles with the government—a designation that has hurt his support among some tribe members and boosted it with others.

Mr. Gumbs, on the other hand, has been critical of some statements by Mr. Bess that the tribe would be interested in developing a casino near New York City, even if it meant the facility was in the Catskills—a consideration thought by some to have come from Mr. Malik. Mr. Gumbs has said the tribe should be focusing on possible sites in Suffolk County and closer to the tribe’s Shinnecock Neck reservation so that tribe members can work there. (Complete Story)

Anyone who's studied the partnerships that the Detroiters have with various Native American partners will see that a common strategy is "divide and conquer." Pit one party against the other to do your bidding and then buy the love. Toe the line and the good times will roll (paychecks, party time and private planes), speak your mind or consider alternatives, you'll be cut-off, locked out and maybe even attacked.

It's all about ROI with little regard for the body-count that's left in the wake. Rules and laws, they're made to be broken -- don't look back. Mike Malik's a developer, a deal broker. He's not a steward or a life partner. He's in and he's out without much regard for the long term or relationships. Whatever it takes. Look no further than his personal life to understand that.

To learn more about the split among the Shinnecock, also read "Shinnecock Indian Nation Leaders Split on Casino Path," a story first published 7.07.2009 in the Southampton Press. Sure enough, those who play by the Detroiters' rules get flown around in grand style; those who don't, Mr. Gumbs, are on their own.

Mr. Gumbs vision is for a casino nearer to the Shinnecock Reservation. Mr. Malik's vision is for up to three off-reservation casinos as close to Manhattan as possible. Remember, he bought a $5.4 million Central Park West penthouse in 2010. And for the first seven years a casino is open, Malik and crew can make up to 30% of the take. After that, it's not his concern. Remember, he's in and out.

One might argue that the feuding is futile because at this point, without an additional act of Congress, neither vision is going to become reality. The Shinnecock currently have no trust lands -- not even their existing Reservation -- and no likely path to secure trust lands at this point. Indian gaming under IGRA is only allowed on Indian lands held in trust by the U.S. Secretary of Interior. See also: "It's Carcieri not Malik that poses Bigger Problems for the Shinnecock Nation."

CA Tribes & Alliance First Major Contributors to Gov. Jerry Brown's Tax Initiative

2011-12-21T05:06:00.000-08:00

California tribes give $275,000 to Gov. Jerry Brown's initiative

12.20.2011

By Kevin Yamamura

California gambling tribes have given $275,000 toward Gov. Jerry Brown's new 2012 ballot initiative to raise taxes on sales and the wealthy, the first known major contribution to his effort.

The California Tribal Business Alliance and two of its member tribes have written checks to help Brown's cause, said the group's political director, David Quintana. The Alliance gave $75,000, while the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians and Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians each gave $100,000.

Brown's initiative would raise the sales tax by a half-cent and increase income taxes starting at $250,000 for individuals to raise an estimated $7 billion in the first fiscal year. Both would expire at the end of 2016.

"We wholeheartedly support this governor's vision for California," Quintana said. "We want to make sure the governor's vision can get before the voters so they can make a choice. We run the gamut of businesses, and if we don't have a healthy economy our businesses are going to suffer."

The California Tribal Business Alliance was active this year in opposing a bill backed by cardrooms and other gambling tribes to legalize Internet poker. Asked about the group's legislative interests as motivation, Quintana said, "No, what this is about is the state of California. We stand firmly behind his vision."

The contributions mark the first known major financial support to Brown's initiative campaign, though it has become difficult to track donations since the secretary of state's campaign finance website, Cal-Access, failed earlier this month.

The governor must collect 807,615 valid signatures of registered voters, an effort that could cost $3 million or more, depending on how many groups are circulating petitions at the same time.

Shinnecock Citizens Reject Gateway Casino Agreement

2011-12-20T12:34:00.000-08:00

Shinnecock Citizens Reject Gateway Casino Agreement
12.20.2011

By Gale Courey Toensing

A majority of Shinnecock Indian Nation members rejected a controversial gaming agreement with its longtime financier, Detroit-based Gateway Casino Resorts, in a referendum December 15.

Members were asked to vote yes or no on authorizing the Board of Trustees to enter into a non-interference and enabling agreement that would hand over to the tribe’s gaming authority the ability to make all casino decisions with Gateway on the tribe’s behalf without any input from the members. The agreement was defeated by a vote of 153-121. The scandal-plagued Gateway has investing millions of dollars in the tribe over the past eight years.

The elected three-member Board of Trustees issued a statement indicating they intend to continue pursuing a relationship with Gateway. “While some may want to put their own spin on this vote, the elected leadership of the Shinnecock Indian Nation remains committed to the eight-year partnership we have had with Gateway and remains committed to pursuing economic opportunities for our people, including off-reservation gaming on Long Island. We have made tremendous strides in these last eight years and will not turn back now,” the trustees said. The board includes Chairman Randy King and trustees Gerrod T. Smith and Frederick C. Bess.

Opponents of the agreement were concerned that the contract with Gateway, which included among other things a waiver of tribal immunity, would erode the tribe’s sovereignty and would give Gateway too much of the tribe’s revenues. The proposed agreement stipulated that Gateway would keep 28 percent of monthly casino revenues.

Lance Gumbs, a former trustee, was a vocal opponent of the Gateway agreement, said he voted against the agreement. “Gateway needs to understand that they are not going to control our tribe,” Gumbs said.

A detailed story will follow.

What's Caused the Apparent Rift between Detroit Casino Syndicator Michael Malik and Shinnecock Lance Gumbs; and Who's Being Enriched by Malik?

2011-12-20T08:00:00.004-08:00

Michael J. Malik, Sr.,
controversial co-founder,
Gateway Casino Resorts, L.L.C.

A News Day article reporting on the Shinnecock Indian Nation's rejection of a new contract with Detroit-based Gateway Casino Resorts and its co-founder Michael J. Malk, Sr., includes the following:

"Gateway needs to understand that they are not going to control our tribe," said Lance Gumbs, a former tribal trustee who voted against the pact.

During the last decade Lance Gumbs, then a trustee of the Shinnecock Indian Nation was one of those out front on efforts to gain Federal Recognition and pursue casino development. However, in an unprecedented run-off earlier this year, Gumbs was ousted as Trustee by Fred Bess, a former Trustee. It's been reported that Bess is seen by some members of the Tribe as a tool of casino syndicator Malik.

Had Gumbs been a perceived as useful to Detroit casino syndicator Michael Malik, it's likely that Malik would have helped to ensure Gumbs remained in a leadership role. However, had Gumbs fallen out of favor with Malik, it's likely Malik or his agents would have worked to replace Gumbs as trustee.

There's some suggestion that among other things, Gumbs believes the Shinnecock should undertake casino development closer to its Long Island Reservation. Malik apparently wants a site closer to Manhattan. A recent Shinnecock gaming update circulated included artist's renderings of a mega casino-entertainment development labeled "Governor's Island."

This past week, it's come to light that a war has been brewing among those on the Shinnecock's Long Island reservation. And now it's clear that Gumbs was among those who stood against the Tribe signing a new go-forward contract with Malik's syndicate Gateway Casino Resorts, LLC, despite that Malik and fellow investors may have spent as much as $40 million helping the Shinnecock receive Federal Recognition and advancing schemes for casinos. Last night, Shinnecock tribal members voted 121 to 153 against continuing the partnership with Malik's Gateway.

Lance R. Gumbs
tribal leader,
Shinnecock Indian Nation

That Malik has apparently been funneling payments to as many as 12 members of the Shinnecock Nation, is one of the things that reportedly caused some among the Shinnecock to distrust and be suspicious of Malik. Some individuals have been treated to trips out of state on Malik's personal G4 aircraft. Nearly 600 members of the tribe live on the reservation and hundreds more are enrolled as members.

Why is Gumbs no longer a Shinnecock Nation Trustee? What went on behind the scenes of the last election?
Was Gumbs once the recipient of payments from Malik and then suddenly cut-off?
If a rift occurred between Gumbs and Malik, what else was that about?
Since Malik succeeded convicted felon Ivy Ong as the Tribe's partner, who has received payments, gifts, trips, honorariums or other enrichment from Malik, his affiliates or agents?
What roles do those individuals play, or have they played, with the Tribe?
How is paying off certain members of the Shinnecock Nation different than the payola Malik's one-time MotorCity Casino partner Herb Strather funneled to members of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe via its one-time Chair Glenn Marshall?

See also:

Gambling Lobbyist Suggests his Scheme for a Waikiki Casino will "Fill Hawaii's Budget Hole"

2011-12-20T07:58:00.003-08:00

Blogger's Note: John Radcliffe is a lobbyist for Detroit casino syndicators (investors affiliated with Detroit's MotorCity Casino and failed Indian casino schemes in NY & CA). For nearly a decade, the Detroiters have been pushing schemes for a stand-alone Waikiki Casino. (learn more at bottom of this post)

Legalizing Gambling Will Be Good For Hawaii
12.20.2011

By John Radcliffe
Gambling Industry Lobbyist

John Radcliffe, Casino Gambling Lobbyist

In a recent Civil Beat editorial, Lowell Kalapa asked the question, “Can Legalized Gambling Fill Hawaii’s Budget Hole?” and then proceeded to argue against it.

The real answer to his question is: “Yes it Can!” Hawaii is the only American state outside of Utah that prohibits gaming. There are 311 million people in the other states and including Hawaii, but excluding Utah, 99.6% of them, live in states that permit gambling, and all of the residents of Utah have hundreds of casinos within easy driving distance of the borders of their state.

What we have here in Hawaii, instead of legal gaming, is a large, uncontrollable, criminal gambling enterprise that involves all sorts of bad elements — including, according to the news reports, rogue police officers. Estimates of the size of our homegrown, illegal, gambling operations range all the way up to one billion dollars per year, and history has shown that Prohibition creates crime, not lessens it. Legalizing gambling will have the same effect that legalizing alcohol had. It will lessen, or even end, that crime. How much “bathtub gin” do you think is made and sold here? None. But there is plenty of illegal gambling and none of it is taxed. If it were taxed, we in Hawaii would have about $50 million in tax revenue added annually.

But what about other, legal, gambling? Hawaii residents also spend about a billion dollars a year on that. Hawaii residents take a total of about 500,000 total trips to Las Vegas, and other gambling destinations each year with many of our citizens taking multiple trips per year. Boyd Gaming alone reported that it earns about $600,000,000 from Hawaii visitors each year. That means that Hawaii is contributing about one billion dollars to the economy of “neighboring” Nevada each year.

Economists like Mr. Kalapa tell us that each dollar spent in a local economy generates about 3.5 times as much, via what they call “the multiplier effect.” That is, the more money that is flying around in an economy, the more money it generates. The billion dollars that Hawaii residents are “contributing” to Nevada, adds about about $3.5 billion each year to their economy and takes from our own. We get nothing. No wonder they love us in Nevada!

All, or virtually all, of our mainland tourists come from states that already have casinos or other forms of gambling, and many of them favor our having one also. After all, there is virtually nothing for tourists to do after dark in Waikiki. No movie theaters. Almost no major entertainment venues. The Waikiki Improvement Association did some polling of our Asian visitors recently, and found that nearly 80% of Japanese, South Korean, and Chinese visitors would appreciate having a casino as an entertainment option in Waikiki.

The bill we had introduced in the legislature last year calls for limited gaming. One stand alone casino, only. All entities that would bid on that single license would have to ante up a $1 million, non-refundable fee, just to bid. The winning bidder would have to pay a $150 million “impact fee” to the state, and the casino itself would be subject to a General Excise Tax of 15%, a tax equal to more than three times the tax paid by all other tax payers in Hawaii. The economic modeling that we did indicates that the single, stand alone, casino would employ 3,660 directly, and produce another 5,717 jobs off-site, increasing the number of total jobs for Hawaii workers by 9,377.

Casinos are very labor intensive. The gross wages per year for those new jobs would amount to an aggregate of nearly $533 million in new money to the local economy. It is expected that the increased taxes from gaming fees, income taxes from employee wages, and from the ripple effect of new vendor jobs, etc., and from the General Excise taxes, will generate an added $86.3 million each year. None of this includes the investment costs for construction and etc. which are estimated to be well in excess of $300 million.

Ah, but what about the “social costs?” The emotional attacks that legalizing gambling will create crime, increase personal bankruptcy, and so on, are always a “hot button” item here in Hawaii. However, the facts in the rest of the country don’t bear them out. Both sides in the casino debate cite various academic studies in their interests, but the only source on that issue that ought to count is the Congressional National Gambling Impact Study Commission, and in its official study of those questions, it found that legalizing gambling has no significant effect on crime, personal bankruptcy, etc., either way. And the facts bear that out among the more than 307 million Americans in 49 states that have already ended prohibition of gambling.

So, to answer Mr. Kalapa’s question, “Can Legalized Gambling Fill Hawaii’s Budget Hole?” The answer is yes, it undoubtedly can help. No single “silver bullet” exists that will solve all of Hawaii’s need to have sufficient income forever. But it goes without saying, that Hawaii will need a wider variety of sources of income than we have now and no other industry is beating down the door. Casino gaming is something that ought to be tried.

Blogger's Note (cont.): Radcliffe represents Detroit gambling interests and his lobbying partner George A. "Red" Morris" represents Las Vegas- based Boyd Gaming Company. Radcliffe and others at his lobbying firm organized the so-called "Citizens for a Better Way" last spring; a front group financed by Radcliffe and his affiliates/clients to push the Waikiki casino scheme. In April they dumped $40,000 into a sophisticated advertising campaign intended to pressure Hawaii Legislators into supporting their Casino bill. They failed and the individual they recruited to head the so-called citizens group filed a $387,000 bankruptcy after they failed to win legislative support for their Waikiki Casino. While Mr. Radcliffe pimps a casino, it is but one form of gaming. Hawaii could consider a State Lottery, bingo, sports betting and other alternatives without approving any Las Vegas-style casino in Waikiki. The Honolulu Police Department has stood steadfast against Radcliffe's attempts to legalize gambling. Radcliffe is a political confidante of Gov. Neil Abercrombie and began this most recent push for a Waikiki casino by being the first to contribute to Abercrombie's gubernatorial campaign. He's been pushing the administration to support a casino as a new source of revenue. After the Governor's election, Radcliffe helped ID and place key staff in the administration including those who've previously worked to legalize gambling in Hawaii.

Hawaii Tax Foundation Prez Poses Questions about Legalized Gambling in Hawaii

2011-12-20T07:00:00.000-08:00

Can Legalized Gaming Fill Hawaii's Budget Hole
12.18.2011

By Lowell Kalapa
President, Tax Foundation of Hawaii

At its most recent meeting, the State Council on Revenues downgraded its outlook for Hawaii’s economy by dropping its forecast of economic growth from 6.7% to 5.2% for the current fiscal year.

Although the overall growth rate in general fund tax revenues was pegged at 14.5%, 4.3 points are attributable to the catch up of the delay in state income tax refunds from two years ago and 5 points are attributed to the changes in state tax laws that are expected to produce about $200 million less in new revenues than the legislature had counted on when drawing up its financial plan for the fiscal biennium.

These latter tax law changes are good only for the current and next fiscal year and, therefore, added revenues from that source will disappear in fiscal year 2014.

It should also be noted that the Council’s adoption of the added revenues from tax law changes is substantially less than what the legislature had assumed when they adopted those changes. The difference amounts to approximately $100 million for each of the two fiscal years. Therefore, even without any spending restrictions or other adjustments to the recently approved biennium budget, the state-spending plan will be under water by almost $200 million over the fiscal biennium.

Given that situation, lawmakers will be searching for additional revenues in order to avoid making additional reductions in spending. The will to adopt additional tax increases will be absent given the fact that all legislators will be up for reelection in 2012 as a result of the decennial reapportionment of the legislative districts.

Thus, many observers believe that the legislature will actually turn its attention to a number of gaming bills that were introduced during the 2011 session and to some extent received considerable attention. There is no doubt that gaming might be looked upon as a potential resource to fill in the budget gap.

On the other side, again, is the fact that next year is an election year and the public is deeply divided on the issue of gaming, especially in the House where each representative has a smaller constituency in his or her district and where a few votes one way or the other could win or lose the election. In addition, as with all levels of government pushing to downsize payrolls, the additional monitoring and regulation of gaming activities may work against adoption of the activity if it means added personnel costs for the public sector even though there may be additional revenues from gaming.

Then there are those who are concerned about the potential social problems that gaming in Hawaii would create. We all chuckle every time someone mentions going to “Vegas” or enumerates the number of trips made to that ninth Hawaiian Island. It is a matter of fact that Hawaii people like to gamble and at least the time and expense of traveling to Las Vegas stands as a barrier to those who financially cannot swing the trip and probably can’t afford to lose the money.

The question that lawmakers and taxpayers need to ask is whether or not the additional revenues lawmakers believe will come from adding gaming to the list of revenue resources will outweigh the additional costs that will come with gaming. While gaming, per se, is not a tax, it has tax implications from the standpoint that it will require additional public programs - those that are needed to operate the gaming activities including the legal enforcement and those that will be needed to address the social and financial implications.

Another consideration is the amount of participation that will be needed to make a gaming industry a lucrative source of public revenue. Unlike its counterparts on the mainland which allow gaming, Hawaii is not contiguous with other jurisdictions where residents from other states or counties can cross state lines to participate in the gaming activity of another state or county. Think of it in the reverse of Hawaii residents traveling to Las Vegas. Will the cost, time and distance be attractive enough to gamble in Hawaii?

Finally, the adoption of any form of gaming in Hawaii may open the door to forms other than what may be authorized by the legislature because of the Hawaiian sovereignty issue giving rise to those other forms of gaming on native Hawaiian enclaves such as Hawaiian Homes Lands.

Shinnecock Gumbs named to Newspaper's Power List Hall of Fame

2011-12-19T14:13:00.001-08:00

Lance Gumbs, Shinnecock Indian Nation

The Shinnecock Indians would have been among the first aboriginal people to meet the settlers from Europe. Yet despite a long-documented relationship with the United States, the Shinnecock Nation was only finally “recognized” last year. This long-awaited designation was in no small part due to the unrelenting efforts of Lance Gumbs, a local entrepreneur and former tribal trustee who is largely credited with moving the recognition process to the front burner at the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs. Economically and socially, federal recognition means many things to a tribe, but the most high-profile aspect involves the tribe’s right to secure a Class III gaming license on its territory or off-reservation land held in trust by the U.S. government. The issue of gaming has placed Gumbs and the current leadership of Shinnecock in the spotlight for the enormous economic potential for both the Shinnecock people and the surrounding municipalities that are suddenly vying to curry favor with the long-ignored tribe. Never one to shrink from conflict or defend the ancestral right of his people, Gumbs is uniquely suited to help lead the charge until a Shinnecock-owned and operated gambling enterprise is itself fully recognized.

It's Carcieri not Malik that poses Bigger Problems for the Shinnecock Nation

2011-12-19T08:07:00.004-08:00

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) only allows for gaming on Indian lands held in trust by the U.S. Secretary of Interior. The Shinnecock Indian Nation currently has no land in trust with the Secretary. The lands designated as the Shinnecock Indian Nation reservation on Long Island near Southampton, New York, are not held in trust with the Secretary of Interior. Today, the Shinnecock Nation has no land eligible for Indian Gaming under IGRA -- not even the land designated as the Nation's Long Island reservation.

This presents big, perhaps insurmountable hurdles for the Shinnecock Nation and its Detroit casino backers.

That the Shinnecock Nation would be eligible to have land taken into trust for the purpose of developing a casino, or for any other purpose, appears unlikely at this time.

It was revealed this week that developers behind the Shinnecock Indian Nation's casino schemes had planned to introduce "Mandatory Acquisition" legislation in Congress next year. This suggests tribal leaders and their casino partners now realize they have bigger problems relative to the U.S. Supreme Court's Carcieri decision. And in fact, it appears Shinnecock leaders have abandoned the attempt by other tribes to advance a so-called Carcieri Fix in Congress.

SCOTUS: Carcieri v. Salazar

In Carcieri, the U.S. Supreme Court said that the Secretary can’t take land into trust for tribes that weren’t “under federal jurisdiction as of 1934.” This has been read to mean that only tribes recognized in 1934 can have land taken into trust. This doesn’t necessarily mean that a tribe has to be on the list of recognized tribes in 1934, but must at least have had a relationship with the federal government as a tribal entity as of 1934.

The Shinnecock Nation's Carcieri problems are made worse by Interior Department acknowledgments published in 2010.

Interior, in granting federal recognition to the Shinnecock in 2010, made several findings that pose Carcieri problems for the Shinnecock. Most relevant, the Interior Department found that it never had a pre-existing relationship with the Shinnecock prior to their recent federal acknowledgment. The Final Determination for Federal Recognition of the Tribe published 6.18.2010 states:

The Department “finds that evidence in the record does not show that the Federal Government established, by its actions, a relationship between the United States and the petitioner [Shinnecock Tribe] as an Indian tribe at any time… .” “…the Department was aware of the Shinnecock of Long Island and held internal discussions as to whether the Department should establish a Federal relationship with them, but the Department took no action to do so.” “The Federal Government explicitly rejected the opportunity to establish a relationship with the petitioner [Shinnecock], sometimes stating that the petitioner [Shinnecock] was the State of New York’s responsibility.”

Clearly the Interior Department found that it had no previous relationship with the Shinnecock Indians, and thought that they were New York’s responsibility. The Shinnecock viewed this as a problem and offered additional evidence to try and show a relationship but the Interior Department rejected that evidence as showing a previously existing relationship. Thus, the Shinnecock wouldn’t have been “under federal jurisdiction” in 1934. So, Carcieri restrictions apply to the Shinnecock Nation.

Under current federal law the Shinnecock are not eligible for federal trust land, thus unable to open an IGRA casino.

That the Shinnecock would be ineligible to have any lands taken into trust by the U.S. Secretary of Interior, for gaming purposes or otherwise, seems only likely if Congress enacts new legislation specifically allowing such -- that remains highly unlikely.

Throughout the last decade the casino syndicators behind the Shinnecock schemes attempted numerous times -- both forthright and sneaky -- to have Congress enact special legislation that would have allowed the Shinnecock or the casino syndicator's other tribal partners to establish casinos.

Despite spending hundreds of millions on lobbying and campaign contributions, the Detroit casino syndicators failed, repeatedly. The only winners were the lawyers, lobbyists and politicians who willingly took millions from the perennial cockeyed optimist who managed the syndicate -- and apparently the handful of tribal leaders on his payroll. The losers remain the naive tribes at-large and economically depressed communities that pin their hopes for the future on the anticipated riches of gaming hopelessly dangled before them, like a carrot to a hungry horse.

See also:

Statement by the Trustees of the Shinnecock Nation Following Thursday's Vote Denying them Authority to Contract with Detroit Casino Syndicator

2011-12-17T08:08:00.001-08:00

As the elected leaders of the Shinnecock Indian Nation, we understand and accept the vote of our people on Thursday. While some may want to put their own spin on this vote, the elected leadership of the Shinnecock Indian Nation remains committed to the eight-year partnership we have had with Gateway and remains committed to pursuing economic opportunities for our people, including off-reservation gaming on Long Island. We have made tremendous strides in these last eight years and will not turn back now.

We hear clearly that we must do a better job of explaining and clarifying these agreements for our people, while also remaining open to adjustments to address legitimate concerns. We will work with our independent experts to ensure our people get accurate information about the terms, which were carefully negotiated for more than a year. We will not allow false and misleading information, peddled by negative forces, to stop the Shinnecock Indian Nation from getting the economic opportunities we have long been denied.

Shinnecock Indian Nation Tribal Board of Trustees Chairman Randy King, Trustee Gerrod T. Smith and Trustee Frederick C. Bess on the Shinnecock Nation Tribal Vote December 15th

According to the Daily News, former Shinnecock Nation Trustee Lance R. Gumbs had this to say following Thursday's vote:

"Gateway [Michael Malik and Marian Ilitch] needs to understand that they are not going to control our tribe," said Lance Gumbs, a former tribal trustee who voted against the pact.

Reader Explains Why Shinnecock Won't Build a Casino at Belmont Park Race Track

2011-12-17T08:07:00.002-08:00

from "Comments" responding to the 12.14.2011 Southampton Press article titled "Discord Erupts Over Shinnecock Vote On Casino Partner's Future:"

By Walt

There is no way the Shinnecock will get a casino at Belmont Park. It doesn't matter what any local officials say; only New York State can permit this to happen. Right now, Resorts World New York City, located at Aqueduct, is regulated by New York State. The agreement with them gives a 30 mile exclusivity clause. I believe Belmont Park is only a few miles from Aqueduct. Secondly, facilities like Resorts World regulated by the state give almost double the profits back to the state than any of the Native American casinos. The state is also moving to make table games legal, and the facility at Aqueduct will be one of the first ones to get table games. Looks like the Shinnecock will have to settle for a location in Suffolk County!

This group is asking for double the management fees from what they would get at other casinos. If they are like the Mohawk casino near the border with Canada, the natives won't be getting the job they expect and will have a token say in how things are run. It is evident that tribal trustees are profiting by having salaries paid to them over the past ten years, salaries for what? For selling out the interests of their tribal members for their own personal interest. These tribal leaders should be in jail! Tribal members would be smart to vote no and kill this agreement, and secondly to elect a new tribal council who has your interests at heart!

It is evident

Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Details Plans for 2012; Native Roll, Restoration of Lands Top List

2011-12-16T14:00:00.012-08:00

A gathering Wednesday, December 14, 2011, drew hundreds to St. Andrew's Cathedral in Honolulu to hear the Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ (OHA) plans for 2012. The agency hopes to celebrate the goals as accomplishments one year from now.

Click arrow below to view video here

OHA Chair urges unity
12.14.2011

By Jim Mendoza

"I stand here in front of you asking all of you to lay your weapons down. Lay your spears down and embrace with aloha," OHA chairperson Colette Machado said.

In her speech on the State of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Machado pointed to next year as a pivotal one for settling the dispute over ceded lands, now that Gov. Neil Abercrombie wants to give OHA 25 acres along the Kakaako waterfront.

"We must always be protective of the open space along the shoreline," she said. "I will support an open corridor for public access so people will have access to the area to gather as ohana, and to use that area to fish and also to bodysurf."

The deal needs legislative approval. Lawmakers plan to question how deep OHA searched for alternatives to the Abercrombie proposal, and if it could open the state to lawsuits.

"Once they explain that to us I think we'll get a better idea about where we want to go," said Sen. Brickwood Galuteria, chair of the Senate Hawaiian Affairs Committee.

"Hawaiians are no dummy when it comes to real estate. Land is our greatest asset. We know the value and situation of that place in particular," native Hawaiian political advisor Kealii Makekau said.

Former Gov. John D. Waihee is
Chair, Native Hawaiian Roll Commission
OHA will also concentrate on the Roll Call Commission, created to compile a list of native Hawaiians interested in self-determination.

"Our primary imperative as a commission is to re-unify the sovereign entity of native Hawaiians one by one, by the thousands," commission chair John Waihee said.

But some advocates for native Hawaiian sovereignty said the call for unity doesn't go far enough.

"We need to stand the nation back up again as an independent nation, not as a sub-group of the United States," said Leon Siu, of an organization called The Hawaiian Kingdom.

Distrust and Suspicion of Detroiter Michael Malik Cause Tribe to Reject Casino Syndicator, New Contract

2011-12-16T09:02:00.003-08:00

Shinnecock Reject Casino Partner Contract on Thursday

12.15.2011

By Michael Wright

In a tribal referendum on Thursday, a majority of the members of the Shinnecock Indian Nation voted against authorizing the tribe’s leaders to sign a new contract with the Detroit casino developer who has been bankrolling their years-long push to open a casino in the New York metropolitan area.

Vote totals from balloting are not yet available, but the casino developer, Gateway Casino Resorts, acknowledged the results and said it will respect the decision of the tribe’s membership.

“While we are of course disappointed in the vote to not move forward at this time with revised business agreements, which followed well over a year of negotiations and months of tribal meetings, we do respect the decision of tribal members to have further review and discussions of the new deal points,” a statement issued by an attorney for Gateway Casino Resorts co-owner Michael Malik on Thursday evening read. “We look forward to concluding that process. We have stood by the Shinnecock Indian Nation for the last eight years, and will continue to do so and support its quest for economic justice.”

The vote went forward on Thursday over the objections of the Tribal Council, which said the three Tribal Trustees were forcing the vote on the rest of the tribe members before they had a chance to adequately examine the contract.

The Trustees announced the vote in a letter to the entire tribe on Monday. They also urged their members to approve the contract so that the casino effort could continue.

The partnership with Mr. Malik, who has spent millions on legal battles and salaries for some two dozen tribe members, has been the subject of much suspicion and distrust among some members of the tribe and the catalyst for open discord at recent tribal meetings. The contract the tribe was being asked to approve was drafted by Gateway representatives and the five members of the tribal Gaming Authority.

There are approximately 1,200 members of the tribe, of which approximately 650 live on the tribe’s Shinnecock Neck reservation just outside Southampton Village.

See also:

Did the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Purge Comments Exposing Pro-Gambling Front Group? Why Didn't Seasoned Political Reporter Investigate Further?

2011-12-16T08:07:00.000-08:00

On July 24, 2011, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser ran a story entitled "Entrepreneurs get rolling on Waikiki casino idea," by Richard Borreca whose pieces on politics appear in the Star-Advertiser on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays.

Borreca wrote on the overnight emergence of the so-called "Citizens for a Better Way," a pro-gambling advocacy group for which Liz Hata Watanabe was recruited as spokesperson.

The Hawaii Free Press reports that the following was among comments originally attached to the article:

“Borreca stays in the shallow end of the pool once again. Major players? Liz is consistent: 100% track record of failure. With all of biographical info he puffed her up with, why omit an important fact -- her bankruptcy filing in June, 2011, which details her train wrecks and the $300,000 plus she stiffed her creditors for. She is a success only at self-promotion which you and others facilitate at the expense of reality. Coelho was an advisor to Mufi. More relevant was that he was the managing director for less than a year and eased over to Director of Customer Service. After three years with Salem, he is soon to be retired and moving to the Mainland. Whoever hires Radcliffe, though, gets something for the money -- newspaper space even if the stories are fantasies.”

Now consider the power of press censorship. The article as it currently appears at staradvertiser.com has been purged of that comment and any others that may have been left originally.

Is it as the writer of the comment above suggests, that Borreca lacks skills as a true investigative political reporter? Or that Borreca or perhaps editors at the Star-Advertiser are supportive of legalized gambling? Could it be that Borreca is a friend of lobbyist John Radcliffe? Or that Radcliffe consistently makes himself available to Borreca?

That Borreca failed to consider how it was that Radcliffe would claim he wasn't behind Citizens for a Better Way (CFBW) and yet he was answering questions about the organization and its activities is alarming.

That the Star-Advertiser's seasoned political reporter failed to recognize it would take someone with experience and a lot more true sophistication than the likes of Hata-Watanabe to pull of the comprehensive political advertising campaign sponsored by CFBW is disturbing. That he failed to push either Watanabe or Radcliffe on the question of who was financing their effort or investigate such further -- especially in light of Watanabe's $387,000 bankruptcy and lack of political fundraising skills.

That he never mentioned Hata-Watanabe's troubles with the Honolulu Liquor Control Commission which are well documented in the public record. That he wasn't aware of or failed to report on Watanabe's one season-wonder TV show "Hawaii's Big Deal Poker Tournament" or probe who bankrolled that venture.

Or that Hata-Watanabe's husband is a veteran officer with the Honolulu Police Department which hands down is opposed to the legalization of gambling in Hawaii. And specifically has opposed the stand-alone Waikiki casino that Watanabe and her benefactors are so eager to see approved. (See testimony by HPD Captain Jerry Inouye opposing HB 781).

Shinnecock Vote Down gaming pact with Gateway Casino Resorts, reject longtime investors Michael Malik & Marian Ilitch

2011-12-15T19:11:00.000-08:00

Shinnecock Tribe votes down gaming pact

12.15.2011

By Mark Harrington

The Shinnecock Indian Nation Thursday voted down a gaming pact with partner Gateway Casino Resorts, a rejection of a longtime backer that has already invested millions of dollars and seven years' work in the project.

"The nation has spoken, by consensus, as it has for thousands of years, and voted today not to finalize gaming agreements with Gateway Casino Resorts," tribal trustees said in a statement Thursday night after the contentious vote.

Of the 274 votes cast, 153 opposed the pact and 121 voted for it. There are some 1,400 Shinnecock members, most of whom do not live on the reservation and were not eligible to vote.

"Gateway needs to understand that they are not going to control our tribe," said Lance Gumbs, a former tribal trustee who voted against the pact.

It's unclear whether the tribe will attempt to negotiate more favorable terms or if the two groups will go their separate ways. A spokeswoman wasn't immediately available. Beverly Jensen, a tribe spokeswoman, declined any further comment.

The Detroit company has financed the tribe's federal recognition efforts in exchange for a casino partnership.

The contracts gave the right to make vital casino decisions on the tribe's behalf to a gaming authority, and stipulate tribal "noninterference" in dealings on the projects.

Only tribal members who are 21 years or older and have lived on the reservation for the past six months were eligible to vote, said Janine Tinsley-Roe, who is on the Shinnecock tribal roll but was prevented from voting because she doesn't live there. Eligible voters were said to number a few hundred members.

Opponents of the contracts feared the tribe would giving away hard-won rights to sovereign immunity and would be locked into a financial agreement they felt was too generous to Gateway. A law firm hired by the tribal council expressed reservations with elements of the non-interference contract.

Much is at stake. The Shinnecock hope to open at least two class III casinos on Long Island, one at Belmont Park, the other in Suffolk, possibly at a former Estee Lauder warehouse in Yaphank .

The agreement with Gateway stipulates the backer will help the tribe acquire the Stony Brook-Southampton campus, and gives the company a 28 percent take of monthly casino revenue.

Recently disclosed gaming documents show conceptual drawings of a casino at Belmont and on Governors Island in Upper New York Bay, though the latter plan is said to be inactive.

Votes Are Counted & Shinnecock Nation Gives Thumbs Down to Contract with Michael Malik's Gateway Casino Resorts

2011-12-15T18:12:00.001-08:00

Shall Shinnecock Nation Trustees sign a new contract with Michael Malik's Gateway Casino Resorts?

121 - YES

153 - NO

An intra-tribal war has been brewing on the Shinnecock Indian Nation's Long Island reservation. Members are split about their commitment to move forward and develop gambling halls in New York in partnership with controversial Detroiter Michael J. Malik, Sr. and his fellow investors. Earlier this week, Tribal Members were notified of an election that would be held today among members.

Voters were asked to cast ballots giving a thumbs up or thumbs down on approval for the Nation's Trustees to sign a new contract with Detroit-based Gateway Casino Resorts and its co-owner Michael J. Malik, Sr.. Among other things the agreements would have governed the future development, management and operation of up to three gambling halls most likley located somewhere on New York's Long Island.In addition to paying back development costs Gateway has incurred, Malik (Gateway) would have received 28% of all revenues for a period of 7-years and have management responsibility for any casinos. (Term Sheet)

Officials of the Shinnecock Nation Gaming Authority had agreed to the Term Sheet in June but needed the full tribes backing. The votes have been counted and Michael Malik's Gateway Casino Resorts is the loser -- for now anyway. Given that Malik's casino syndicate has for almost a decade bankrolled millions in legal, lobbying and PR activities and spent millions more making political campaign contributions to support the Nation's efforts to secure Federal Recognition and pave the way for casino development, it's unlikely that Malik and his fellow syndicate organizer Marian Ilitch will walk away from the Shinnecock without a fight to hang onto the franchise.

How Lance Boldrey Turned a Stint in the Governor's Office Into a 10+ Year Multi-Million Dollar Engagement with Detroit Casino Syndicators

2011-12-15T16:03:00.000-08:00

Blogger's Note: We've received several inquiries about Michigan gaming attorney R. Lance Boldrey and note an increase in the number of people visiting TheVerifiableTruth.com as part of browser searches of Boldrey's name so we're republishing this 1.08.2007 post originally titled "Aide negotiated '11th Hour' Port Huron casino deal for Gov. Engler; then joined private practice, retained by those who got the deal"

On Sunday, January 7th, the Port Huron Times Herald published an editorial, "Feds must come to aid of Port Huron," suggesting that a Bay Mills Indian Casino planned for that community might still be alive. At the very least, the following raises ethical questions and creates curious circumstances surrounding the proposed casino, deserving of investigation and disclosure.

R. Lance Boldrey joined the staff of Michigan Governor John Engler sometime in 1999 as Deputy Legal Counsel and chief negotiator for Indian Affairs matters in the Governor's third and final term.

Throughout most of Engler’s 12 years as Governor, Engler steadfastly opposed the expansion of Indian gaming... BUT in the final months, with Boldrey helming negotiations, something changed.

In September 2002, roughly three months before Engler's term would expire, the Governor was compelled to sign a land claims settlement agreement Boldrey and others had negotiated the month before with the Bay Mills Indian Community. The agreement would pave the way for a third Bay Mills Indian Community casino to be developed in the urban border town of Port Huron, 350 miles away from its Brimley, MI reservation.

On December 20, 2002, with less than two weeks remaining on his term, Gov. Engler also signed a new Tax Agreement with the Bay Mills Indian Community covering (or protecting) the Tribe, its proposed Port Huron casino and other commercial and trust properties. Presumably Boldrey played a lead role in those negtotiations as well.

Oddly enough, the so-called "land claims" made by the Bay Mills Tribe in 1996 (the threat driving any need for a Settlement Agreement at all) were never verified. Both state and federal courts tossed out the claims, at that time, on administrative grounds. This raises question about the rushed 11th hour change of policy by Engler and the need for any Settlement Agreement at all. Did the state trade a casino for land claims that weren't legitimate afterall? Were the circumstances surrounding the Settlement Agreement just a theatrical smokescreen to rationalize approval for a third Bay Mills Tribal casino in Port Huron?

But Engler knew the land claims weren't valid and that they were being used to leverage a casino because in a 1999 opinion letter published by the Record Eagle intended to set the record straight, Engler wrote:

"... I find it remarkable that Congressman Stupak would step in at this late date and join with the Bay Mills Tribe in using the Charlotte Beach homeowners as political pawns. Make no mistake about it - Congressman Stupak's proposal is solely about trying to give the Bay Mills Tribe an otherwise illegal casino..."

"... the state of Michigan has stood by these properly owners since day one, defended them in court, and won the dismissal of the Bay Mills lawsuit against the Charlotte Beach owners. I have no doubt that this dismissal will hold up on appeal ..."

R. Lance Boldrey parlayed stint in Governor's
Office into 10+ year million dollar engagement

Within weeks of Engler approving the the Settlement Agreement, Boldrey flew to Washington D.C. and eagerly represented Governor Engler before a U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing on Capitol Hill. Backers of the Bay Mills casino were attempting to railroad congressional approvals in the closing days of the 107th Congress needed to affect terms of the Engler negotiated Agreements.

Boldrey's eagerness might partially be explained in part by the fact that in July 2002 the White House announced the President’s intention to nominate Boldrey to serve as a trustee of the Udall Foundation. The nomination wasn't sent to the Senate until January 2003 and Boldrey was confirmed in April 2003. During that 6-9 month period it was certainly in Boldrey’s interest to increase his profile in Washington D.C and exploit the credentials he’d developed during the short time he worked as Gov. Engler’s Indian Affairs agent.

With the help of people like Boldrey, first term Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) had drafted and introduced S. 2986 as a companion to the Settlement Agreement on September 20, 2002. Less than two weeks after its introduction (usually this takes months, sometimes even more than a year), the bill was scheduled to be heard before the full Senate Indian Affairs Committee. At the October 10, 2002 hearing, as the Governor's representative, Boldrey sat beside the Bay Mills Community's elected Council President John Lufkins and together they urged the committee’s swift endorsement. It wasn't to be; Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), a leading Democrat and member of the Committee stood in their way.

Time was ticking on the Engler Administration and on the friday before the 2002 Christmas holiday, with less than 5-6 full business days left on the calendar, Governor Engler also signed a new Tax Agreement with the Bay Mills Tribe. Among other protections for the Tribe and its members, the Agreement exempted (page 9) hotel rooms, restaurant food and beverages sold as part of any casino and its adjoining resort properties from lodging taxes, sales taxes and use taxes.

Engler’s 12 year administraton came to an end on January 1, 2003 leaving Boldrey unemployed. But within weeks, Boldrey announced he was returning to private practice. He had decided to join the Lansing office of the Dykema Gossett law firm and was tasked with starting up an Indian Law Practice for the firm. A longtime Engler friend, confidant and political agent Richard D. McLellan was a senior partner in the Dykema office. The Dykema law firm had already been handling legal business matters for the MotorCity commercial casino partnership in Detroit. Ilitch, Malik and others who were founders of MotorCity Casino have been the driving force behind the third Bay Mills casino project for a decade or more.

So, Boldrey joined Dykema and before long, the Bay Mills Indian Community, its casino backers like Marian Ilitch and Michael Malik, and others whom previously had to negotiate across the table from Boldrey in his role as the Governor’s point man had retained Dykema Gossett (Boldrey & McLellan) to work on Indian law and gaming matters at prime corporate law firm rates. Boldrey's role now was to protect and advocate for their interests going forward.

What or who compelled the Governor's dramatic change of direction in the last months and days of his administration? Why this proposal instead of some other? Five years ago, those questions were swept under the carpet.

When had Boldrey decided to return to private practice? When did he open talks with Dykema? What role did Richard McLellan play in recruiting Boldrey? What involvement had McLellan had with the 11th hour negotiations with various tribes including Bay Mills? When did Boldrey's future clients learn of his career move? When did they first discuss a future working together? What relationships did he have with "Charlotte Beach" area land owners then or now? Who did he negotiate against as the Governor's representatives that paid him or Dykema after he joined Dykema?

Certainly an attorney whose credits included pulling-off a deal like this would be in high demand and command the highest of fees.

What relationships if any did Boldrey/McLellan have with attorneys Anthony Andary, Robert Golden?

With all of the other matters deserving greater urgency, why was there such a last minute push five years ago for a Settlement Agreement with Bay Mills Indians when they've yet to prove their land claims valid?

What's really at play in the "Charlotte Beach" (also referred to as "Hay Lake" by Bay Mills Tribal Council President) area referenced in the unverified land claims? The Hay Lake/Charlotte Beach locations are near impossible to find on maps in Chippewa County -- Atlas, Google, USGS, etc. or via governmental agency resources. It's only in old plat maps that one will find a reference to the "Charlotte Beach subdivision" east of the Barbeau community on Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
"Charlotte Beach" is a rather obscure place, not among those included in the USGS master place names data base nor referenced in resources available via the Department of Natural Resources at Michigan.gov; it is not noted as a town or community or any other place of significance in Michigan; other respective state and federal sources simply don't designate the 110- acre place. There are no obvious references noted by non-profit environmental or natural resource protection groups either. In fact, the only modern public documentation that references a place called "Charlotte Beach" in Michigan are documents related to the Bay Mills land claims. It is doubtful Governor Engler or anyone else for that matter had visited Charlotte Beach, Michigan to see for themselves what was going on there. One must wonder what sort of investigation was done to see who really owns land there or who has bought land since.

It just doesn't add up: a complete and documented reversal of a Governor's long held public policy stance opposing the expansion of gaming; no validated land claims, yet a signed Land Claims Settlement Agreement; two existing casinos already, just not in prime urban locations; an 11th hour Tax Agrement too; 110 acres of land in "Charlotte Beach," an area not designated on maps or by any public agencies or non-profit groups as significant or sensitive; and a lead negotiator who was later engaged by the very parties he once negotiated against. Before Congress or any other elected officials or public agencies take any further action, a complete investigation and full disclosures are warranted.

And what role or connections has political consultant Tom Shields (also an Engler insider, political advisor to Rep. Candice Miller, and longtime spin doctor to Mike & Marian Ilitch) played in these schemes?

See also:

Nov. Revenues Boost Year-Over-Year Performance of Detroit Casinos

2011-12-15T14:09:00.001-08:00

Solid November boosts year-over-year revenues at MGM, MotorCity casinos

12.14.2011

By Jaclyn Trop

Detroit's two largest casinos continued to improve their revenue growth for the year with a solid November, leaving Greektown Casino and Hotel lagging, according to state statistics released Tuesday.

MotorCity Casino Hotel, the city's second-largest casino by market share, posted the largest year-over-year gain. The gaming hall posted revenues of $431.5 million from January through November of this year, a 5.8 percent gain over last year's $407.9 million, the Michigan Gaming Control Board reported.

Market share leader MGM Grand Detroit experienced a 2.8 percent rise in revenues to $547.4 million.

Revenues for Greektown Casino and Hotel, the smallest gaming hall, fell 0.9 percent to $321.7 million. (Complete Story)

According to Term Sheet, Detroiters Would Finance Shinnecock Nation Acquisition of SUNY Stony Brook

2011-12-15T08:07:00.007-08:00

Based on a "Term Sheet" between the Shinnecock Indian Nation and Detroit-based Gateway Casino Resorts, it appears the Nation remains interested in acquiring the State University of New York at Stony Brook Campus in Southampton. And their Detroit casino development partner stands ready to assist them in acquiring the property. In fact, Gateway Casino Resorts has gifted the Nation the first $500,000 needed to acquire the College property.

From the Term Sheet:

Gateway shall assist the Nation in pursuing the acquisition of the college campus known as State University of New York at Stony Brook in Southampton, New York (the "College") by providing reasonable financial assistance to the Nation to: conduct due diligence and research regarding the property, investigate acquisition options, negotiate with the State of New York and federal, state and local entities regarding acquisition of the property, and provide other reasonable assistance to help the Nation facilitate the acquisition of the college. Gateway agrees that the initial $500,000 Gateway provides for such purposes will be a gift to the Nation and that, neither the Nation nor the Authority is required to repay this initial amount of $500,000 to Gateway, with any remaining expenditure being Approved Development Costs. The parties agree that, if the parties determine that the due diligence contemplated by this paragraph indicates that the Nation has a viable opportunity to acquire the College, the parties will discuss how Gateway can assist the Nation with such acquisition or assist the Nation in acquiring a loan to purchase the property. Gateway shall also support efforts by the Nation to include the acquisition of nongaming land during the compact and other negotiations with the State, local and federal governments.

Artist's Renderings of Detroiters' Planned Shinnecock Casino Development at Belmont Race Track

2011-12-15T07:00:00.009-08:00

Although Detroit casino syndicator Michael J. Malik, Sr., had previous forbid Long Island reporters from printing previously publicly displayed copies of artist's renderings produced for his proposed Shinnecock/Gateway Casino Resorts Gambling Hall at the Belmont Race Track, TVT has received these two renderings among other background materials.

Artist's Rendering: Belmont Hotel & Entertainment Entrance

proposed by Gateway Casino Resorts with Shinnecock Nation

Artist's Rendering: Belmont Arena Plaza and Monorail proposed

by Gateway Casino Resorts with Shinnecock Nation

Click on the various "labels" below to discover related stories, documents and resources.

What They Won't Tell You: Insights on Gateway Casino Resorts, its Detroit Organizers and Their Plans for Shinnecock Casinos

2011-12-14T22:24:00.001-08:00

Shinnecock Reject Malik, Gateway Casino Resorts

Lobbying

Campaign Contributions/Influence

Policy

Michael Malik

Planning/Development

Community Affairs

Ilitch Interests/Management

Mayoral Reports

Scribd.com: Various Documents Relative to the Partnership between Detroit-based Gateway Casino Resorts and the Shinnecock Nation of Long Island, New York and their plans for casino developments including Timeline, Term Sheet, Enabling Agreement, and more.

Once Again Michael Malik is at Center of Intra-Tribal Controversy; War Brews on Shinnecock Reservation over Gateway Casino Resorts Contract

2011-12-14T09:54:00.001-08:00

Discord Erupts Over Shinnecock Vote On Casino Partner's Future

12.14.2011

by Mike Wright

The Shinnecock Indian Nation is set to hold a pivotal vote today, December 15, on whether the tribe will continue its business relationship with Gateway Casino Resorts, the Detroit-based casino developers that have pumped millions of dollars in legal fees and salaries into the tribe over the last eight years in an effort to build a Shinnecock gaming facility.

But in the run-up to the vote, which could approve or reject a new contract with Gateway that was drafted by the tribe’s Gaming Authority, discord has arisen among tribal members over the involvement of Gateway principal Michael J. Malik and the future path of the casino effort in general. The Tribal Council has called for the vote to be canceled while it seeks an independent legal review of the new Gateway contract.

In what was supposed to be a confidential letter to tribal members this week, the Tribal Trustees called for the vote and urged the tribe to ratify the new contract. The letter is dated December 12, just four days before the vote was to be held—a period of time members of the Tribal Council apparently felt was not long enough for tribal members to familiarize themselves with the details of the 12-page contract.

“The Tribal Council is attempting to do its fiduciary responsibility of reviewing the documents with a third-party, unbiased legal council to advise the Nation and tribal leadership before this vote is to be taken,” a statement issued by the Tribal Council on Wednesday morning said. “We are disappointed with the Board of Trustees for forcing this time line and vote on the community before this evaluation is complete. The Tribal Council does not support the vote at this time.”

The tribe’s five-member Gaming Authority has outlined plans for up to three Shinnecock-run casinos on Long Island. This past summer, the tribe received the tacit support of Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano to be the primary developer of a new gaming facility at Belmont Race Track and unveiled sketches of a hotel, casino and entertainment complex adjacent to the famed horse racing venue. Over the last two years, the tribe has also been in discussions with Suffolk County leaders about possible sites for a casino, including parcels in Brookhaven and Riverhead towns.

The new contract with Gateway includes provisions that would have Mr. Malik and his partner, Marian Ilitch, wife of the billionaire founder of the Little Caesar’s pizza chain, continuing to finance more than two dozen salaried positions within tribal government, fund the tribe’s legal and consulting fees, and ultimately pay for the planning and construction of the hoped-for casino.

It would be the first time the Shinnecocks have renegotiated their agreement with Mr. Malik since he purchased the right to be the tribe’s partner from another casino developer, Ivy K. Ong, in 2003. Since that time, Mr. Malik has poured millions of dollars into the tribe’s legal battles, first over initial plans to use a Hampton Bays property owned by the tribe as a casino site—a proposal that has been abandoned—and then in its successful push to secure federal recognition more than a decade sooner than federal agencies would have allowed otherwise. The tribe has also waged court battles claiming contracts with Southampton’s early European settlers in which it gave up ownership of large swaths of Southampton Town were illegal—a claim widely seen as a tactic to win political support for a Shinnecock casino elsewhere.

“I believe the majority of the people will look at what Gateway has done for this community in supporting us and our efforts and livelihoods, with the jobs and the legal help and the federal recognition, and see that [Mr. Malik] has been a good business partner,” Tribal Trustee Fred Bess said this week. “The Trustees’ stance is that we have a good working relationship with our current developer, and we’re looking for their support to move to the next level. We feel that we’ve had many discussions with the membership on these issues, and we think the time is now.”

The letter from the Trustees says that they will not proceed in signing the contracts without the support of the full tribe and cannot enter into any binding agreements on possible sites for a Shinnecock casino, or the necessary compact with New York State, until the contracts with Gateway are affirmed.

The full text of the contract has been posted on a website called The Verifiable Truth, which does not identify its publisher. The website features stories and documents related to the gaming industry, and to Mr. Malik and Mrs. Ilitch specifically. Mr. Bess, however, confirmed the authenticity of the documents posted at the website.

“It’s unfortunate that some tribal members took it upon themselves to talk outside the tribe and share these documents and information with others,” Mr. Bess said. “But we’re going to deal with it and, hopefully, do what’s right for the tribe. The Trustees have the best interests of this community at heart. This is just growing pains, and we’ll get through it as a community.”

Various Related Documents

Michael J. Malik, Sr. is a controversial character, who is often at the center of intra-tribal disputes with those whom he is a casino development partner. Earlier this year the tribal chairwoman for the Los Coyotes Band of Indians (CA) was ousted because Malik didn’t like a business partnerships she had arranged. The long-time chairman of the Bay Mills Indian Community (MI) was ousted in an election last month in part because tribal members saw him as Malik’s tool and they’d had enough of Malik’s idle promises for off-reservation casinos. The now deceased elder and former chairperson of one tribal partner became disillusioned with Malik and called him the “Devil.” She said he had “seduced” younger members of her tribe who didn’t know any better. By that, she meant he had bought them off with salary, or stipends, or honorariums.

To Bypass Carcieri and Other Off-Reservation Casino Hurdles, Detroiters Plan Introduction of "Mandatory Acquisition Legislation" in Congress

2011-12-14T09:00:00.001-08:00

Detroiters who stand to gain hundreds of million of dollars developing and operating Shinnecock Indian Nation gambling halls on Long Island and possibly Governor's Island in New York Harbor, are planning to introduce federal legislation to help them secure approvals and get around off-reservation stumbling blocks including the Carcieri ruling.

According to a timeline produced by the Detroiters' consultants, they are planning to carry out a PR campaign beginning in December 2011 that lays the groundwork for something they refer to as "Mandatory Acquisition Legislation." That includes plans to "work closely with local governments, union, community groups to build and demonstrate support" for projects in Suffolk County and at Belmont Race Track in Nassau County.

From December 2011 - February 2012, the timeline indicates they will:

Finalize Mandatory Acquisition Legislation for introduction to Congress.
Finalize PR plans to support congressional introduction and promote passage of Mandatory Acquisition Legislation

Then in March 2012 they plan to introduce the so-called "Mandatory Acquisition Legislation" to federal officials.

The timeline notes these "ongoing' activities relative to their "Mandatory Acquisition Legislation" strategy:

Meet with Federal elected officials; Schumer and Gillibrand; Nassau County and Suffolk County Congressional delegation. Demonstrate local support for Project.
Meet with key Federal and State elected officials needed to support Mandatory Acquisition Legislation. Prepare white papers and testimony for congressional committee hearings.
Meet with key elected officials, committee chairs, key DOI officials, and present testimony at committee hearings; lobby- lobby- lobby

In addition to up to three casinos on Long Island, the Detroiters may also be eyeing the opportunity to develop a gambling/entertainment mecca on Governor's Island in New York Harbor. (See renderings)

See other materials obtained with the timeline.

Click on the “labels” below to see related posts, documents, resources or visit these any of these posts:

Shinnecock Nation Casino Timeline

2011-12-14T06:00:00.001-08:00

Detroiters' Shinnecock Casino Schemes

Timeline (Past History & Future Activity)

2001-2012

Of particular note in 2012, the Developer (Gateway Casino Resorts) plans to negotiate a State Compact with Governor Andrew Cuomo, get said Compact introduced and approved by the New York Legislature; and present and get Congressional approval of something called "Mandatory Acquisition Legislation." And overlaying all of that are ongoing PR advertising campaigns carried out by Lansing-based Marketing Resource Group to spin the developer's schemes and control messages. What's not outlined here are payments to the tribe and "salaries" or payments by Gateway Casino Resorts to key tribal members who support the schemes.

Shinnecock Nation Gaming Authority Timeline 2001-2012

Detroit Casino Syndicator Who Can't Get a Michigan Gambling License Reportedly Could Get Biggest Deal in Indian Gaming

2011-12-13T16:23:00.001-08:00

Michael J. Malik, Sr., unable to get a

Michigan gaming license is about to

get most lucrative Indian Gaming deal

Detroiter Michael J. Malik, Sr., can't obtain a gambling license from the Michigan Gaming Control Board, but leaders he's backed at the Shinnecock Indian Nation are reportedly about to award Malik's Gateway Casino Resorts with what some have suggested would be the most lucrative third-party contract in the Indian Gaming industry.

Malik and the Shinnecock have yet to receive all of the approvals they would need to develop and operate a casino off-reservation in New York. And Malik and his partner Marian Ilitch (Mrs. Michael Ilitch), have failed to win approvals for similar projects in Michigan and California despite more than a decade trying. In fact, it's been more than a decade since Malik was successful opening any new Indian casino.

Malik is reportedly using expected negotiations with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to pressure members of the Shinnecock Indian Nation into accepting a contract that was reportedly drafted by his Michigan-based attorney Lance Boldrey.

It's more likely that Malik needs such agreements in hand to secure additional or new funding for the casino syndicate that's financing his schemes. You can be sure that Malik and Marian and Michael Ilitch aren't using millions of their own cash to finance the schemes. A look at the other deals done by the Ilitches suggests theirs are all about leverage and financing, not about using cash.

Through a letter dated Dec. 12, 2011, leaders of the Shinnecock Nation have given three-day notice to tribal members that they expect to vote on Thursday, Dec 15, 2011, on matters to move forward and finalize the deal with Gateway Casino Resorts, LLC. The letter indicated that tribal leaders have met with Elders Council, Tribal Council, and the community at large through noticed Community Meetings and attempts to suggest those meetings included discussions about issues related to the contract, gaming and the term sheet. Reports are those meetings didn't include any such discussions and that such have taken place in closed door, back room deal sessions which is typical fashion for those behind Gateway Casino Resorts.

Term Sheet: Shinnecock Nation & Gateway Casino Resorts

Detroiters, Shinnecock Planning Gambling/Entertainment Mecca on Governor's Island, NY?

2011-12-13T14:56:00.002-08:00

Are Detroit casino syndicators Marian Ilitch (Mrs. Mike Ilitch) and Michael J. Malik, Sr., planning to turn New York's Governor's Island into a gambling and entertainment mecca? Do they plan to use the Shinnecock Indian Nation to help them do it?

By the looks of these artists renderings that they circulated among certain individuals in New York, it would certainly look that way.

In the shadow of Lady Liberty: Detroiters plan a gambling/entertainment

mecca on Governor's Island, NY

Off the tip of Manhattan: Detroiters plan a gambling/entertainment

mecca on Governor's Island, NY

Requests for a copy of the update/background packet that included these renderings can be made by email: allverifiable@gmail.com OR check out the last page of this document at scribd.com.

Maui Rep. Joe Souki Plans to Introduce Pro-Gambling Constitutional Amendment in 2012

2011-12-13T12:25:00.000-08:00

Rep. Souki Recaps Session, Forecasts Election
12.12.2011

By Susan Halas

...Souki said that the 2012 legislative session which begins in January will again be about money, but the tone might be “even more conservative” because it’s an election year where every seat in the 51 member State House and 25 seat State Senate up for a vote. “It’s unlikely you’ll see anything controversial,” he said.

Then, in the next breath he added that he plans to offer a state constitutional amendment asking voters if they want to legalize gambling (Hawaii and Utah are the only two states that do not currently allow any form of gaming). Also he said, “There will definitely be measures introduced to liberalize the marijuana laws.”

“I would support both,” he said. “But that doesn’t mean they will pass”... (Complete Story)

State Rep. Joe Souki (D-Maui)

Joseph M. "Joe" Souki (D-Maui) is a 15 term veteran of the Hawaii State House representing the 8th House district which includes Kahakuloa, Waihee, portions of Wailuku and Waikapu. The St. Anthony High School graduate began his career as an administrator for Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO) in 1966 where he was known as an advocate for seniors and low income Mauians.

A lifelong Democrat he entered politics in 1978 when he won a seat as Maui delegate to the Hawaii Constitutional Convention. In 1982 he was elected State House and rose to become Speaker of the House. Almost 30 years later he is Speaker Emeritus, member of the House Democratic Leadership Caucus and chairs the House Transportation Committee.

Souki, now 78 years of age, has served Maui under five governors (Ariyoshi, Waihee, Cayetano, Lingle, Abercrombie) and has had a front row seat in state government and politics for almost 30 years. He plans to seek reelection in 2012.

Blogger's Note: Hawaii and Utah are the only two states in the U.S. with no legalized gambling.

Although Honolulu PD Actively Opposes Legalization of Gambling; Officer’s Wife is Fronting Group Pushing Mainlanders’ Waikiki Casino Schemes

2011-12-13T08:30:00.013-08:00

Click for: Honolulu PD Gambling FAQ

Last Spring, Elizabeth Hata Watanabe, the wife of a Honolulu Police officer, emerged out of nowhere as the head of the so-called Citizens for a Better Way. Despite denials by Watanabe and lobbyist John Radcliffe, the group is apparently a front for a mainland casino syndicate hoping to get approvals to develop and operate a stand-alone Las Vegas-style casino in Waikiki.

The Honolulu Police Department has historically opposed the legalization of gambling in Hawaii. In fact, during Hawaii’s 2011 Legislative Session, HPD Officers endorsed by Police Chief Louis Kealoha testified against bills to allow: on-board gambling on cruise ships docked in Hawaiian waters, bingo, gambling on Hawaiian Homelands and development of a stand-alone casino in Waikiki. The later being the objective of Mrs. Watanabe’s lobbying efforts and a mainland casino syndicate (see links to testimony in Scribd box below).

In nearly every instance where HPD officials provided testimony in opposition to a gambling measure, lobbyist John Radcliffe provided testimony in favor of gambling. Radcliffe is believed to be the driving force behind the lobbying group for which Mrs. Watanabe fronts.

Honolulu Police Department's Position on Gambling.
Honolulu Police Department's Gambling FAQ
Honolulu Police Deparment's Ant-Gambling Links

During Fall 2010, Watanabe identified herself as the executive producer of “Hawaii’s Big Deal Poker Tournament,” a reality TV show airing Saturdays on Honolulu’s KHON. Despite promises for a second season of Hawaii’s Big Deal, nothing has materialized. And it’s unclear who bankrolled Season One. Watanabe claimed it was to bring attention to her newly formed tax exempt charitable organization, the Hata Foundation.

For several years prior, Watanabe was owner of failed nightclub and restaurant operations. Her establishments were under increasing scrutiny by the Honolulu Liquor Control Commission (HLCC). Namely she had repeated violations serving liquor to minors and it was alleged that she hid her books from HLCC investigators for four years – nearly the entire time she operated the nightclub. In 2009-10, she had one temporary license revoked and the nightclub’s liquor license was suspended. In the wake of HLCC actions, she chose to shutter the establishments.

After closing the failed nightclub and restaurant, producing one season of “Hawaii’s Big Deal Poker Tournament”, and spending nearly $40,000 on a sophisticated advertising campaign which failed to push legislators to support the mainlanders’ proposal for a stand-alone casino in Waikiki, Watanabe filed a $387,000 bankruptcy.

In other related developments...

HPD Major Arrested on Extortion
Reports from the Associated Press during the last month indicate a Honolulu police Major Carlton Nishimura who is facing federal extortion charges received $6,000 a month to protect an illegal gambling room.

According to the court documents and the FBI, while a captain assigned to a Honolulu patrol district, Nishimura directed subordinate officers to inspect and harass other illegal gambling operations considered by his patron to be direct competition.

Nishimura, 55, has remained in custody since a raid on Nov. 14, when agents said they found about a half-pound of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. They also reported the discovery of $2,400 in cash in a safe, jewelry, gift cards, casino player club cards and a college basketball betting odds sheet.

Gambling Scandal Plagues University of Hawaii Football
Although Honolulu Police say they don’t have enough information to launch an official investigation, allegations surfaced in November to suggest that University of Hawaii football players were involved in a points shaving gambling scheme.

University President M. R. C. Greenwood said she and board of regents Chairman Eric Martinson met with Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha to offer the university's full cooperation.

However, the NCAA said, "We are extremely concerned by the point-shaving allegations involving University of Hawaii football student-athletes and have been in contact with the school since early November."

"We take any allegation of point shaving very seriously as it is a crime that threatens two core NCAA principles -- the well-being of student-athletes and the very integrity of intercollegiate sport."

Subsequently University of Hawaii Warriors Football Coach Greg McMackin resigned under pressure.

Casino Syndicator Couldn't get a Michigan Gambling License; Yet he's Worthy of a Stanley Cup Championship Ring?

2011-12-12T08:02:00.002-08:00

Is Michael Malik sporting a Stanley
Cup Championship ring?

If controversial character Michael J. Malik, Sr. isn't affiliated with Ilitch Holdings, Inc., Olympia Entertainment, Olympia Development, the NHL Red Wings or any of the other Ilitch companies, why is it he apparently sports a 2008 Stanley Cup Championship ring? His reputation suggests he's a rather dishonorable character but apparently someone thinks he's worthy of an NHL Stanley Cup Championship ring.

Malik, who holds himself up to have been, along with Mrs. Marian Ilitch, one of MotorCity Casino's founders, failed to receive a Michigan gambling license in 1999, reportedly due to character and tax issues; and it was reported Marian Ilitch arranged a buyout of Malik's interest in the casino necessary before the Gambling Commission would allow the gambling hall to open its doors. Not licenseable as a proprietor of a gambling hall but worthy of a Stanley Cup ring?

The terms of his "buyout" with Ilitch have never been revealed publicly. Clearly there's something controversial involved. However, since being formally pushed out of MotorCity Casino, Malik has made his offices in the executive suites at Ilitch Holdings, Inc.'s Fox Theater headquarters. Some consider him to be Mrs. Marian Ilitch's political bag man and others even say he's her Consigliere. Certainly he plays "bad cop" to her "good cop."

Despite more than a decade of legal and personal problems that pile upon the reasons he failed to get a Michigan gambling license, it has been reported that Malik is partners with Ilitch in various unfulfilled schemes to build an Ilitch gambling empire expanded to New York, California and Hawaii.

However, because of the often controversial, even illegal, nature of Malik's activities, it's always denied that he's directly affiliated with Ilitch Holdings or any of its venerable subsidiary brands. Yet he's worthy of wearing a Stanley Cup ring?

No wonder some people he attempts to influence, intimidate or even bully walk away from meetings with Malik thinking he's part owner of the Detroit Red Wings. Or is he? And is that why he's sporting a championship ring? Was Red Wings ownership a part of the buyout of his MotorCity Casino interests?

Hawaii Attorney General Alleges Former Governor John D. Waihee Looted $39 Million from Funeral Funds

2011-12-12T08:02:00.001-08:00

State Sues to Get Back $39M Looted from Graves by John Waihee
12.08.2011

by Purna Nemani, Court House News

Hawaii claims that a law firm that DLA Piper acquired through merger drained $39 million from state-regulated prepaid funeral and cemetery contracts.

The State of Hawaii and The Huntington National Bank, as trustees for 18 Hawaii funeral and cemetery trust funds, sued DLA Piper, "successor in liability through merger to the now-dissolved law firm of Verner Li pfert Bernhard MacPherson and Hand." (REMEMBER THEM FROM BROKEN TRUST???)

The complaint is related to an intervenor complaint filed in February, by former successor trustee Comerica Bank and Trust, consolidated as In re RightStar Related Cases.

Hawaii and the bank "seek damages from Piper arising out of the wrongful acts of a former Verner Li pfert partner and employee, former Governor John D. Waihee III, as alleged in the intervenor complaint and set forth below."

The intervenor complaint is against four former trustees, including Waihee, of 14 preneed trusts and four perpetual care trusts. It seeks an accounting and damages for "inter alia, the trustees' breaches of fiduciary duty by permitting improper withdrawals from, and imprudent investments by, the trusts, and other wrongful conduct"... (Complete Story)

Original Court Document

Also see:

Nassau County Democrats Blindly Back Detroiters' Belmont Casino Schemes

2011-12-07T08:07:00.006-08:00

According to the Elmont Chamber of Commerce website, elmont.org:

Nassau County Democrats Unite to Support Shinnecock Casino at Belmont

11.21.2011

Long Island Democrats
Blindly Endorse Casino
NASSAU COUNTY, NY – Nassau County’s four Democratic members of the New York State Assembly today announced their support for a Shinnecock Indian Nation casino at Belmont Racetrack. Assembly Members Earlene Hooper, Harvey Weisenberg, Charles Lavine and Michelle Schimel cited jobs and economic opportunity as the driving factors and urged their colleagues in both the Senate and Assembly to join in support.

“This project will create thousands of jobs for Long Islanders and provide a huge boost to the local and state economies,” said Assemblywoman Earlene Hooper (D-Hempstead). “We need these revenues to stay here in New York, for both the state and Nassau County, so we can keep people working and create more jobs.”

Shinnecock Tribal Trustee Chairman Randy King said, “We appreciate the strong and growing support from all parts of Nassau County. A Shinnecock Nation entertainment complex will provide much needed jobs to help boost the Long Island economy, as well as created revenues for the County, the State and the Shinnecock Indian Nation, and we certainly thank Assembly Members Hooper, Weisenberg, Lavine and Schimel for their support”...

The four Assembly members announced their support on the heels of Representatives Carolyn McCarthy and Peter King joining the list of backers for the Shinnecock project. (Original Post)

It should be noted that Rep. Carolyn McCarthy only pledged support for the Detroiters' Shinnecock Casino Scheme after she'd received political campaign contributions from the casino syndicate's bag-man Michael J. Malik, Sr. It's likely they've funded the campaign coffers of the others through Democratic committee war-chests or other third-parties.

Ironically, while these Democrats are accepting campaign checks from the controversial Malik; New York Governor Andrew Cuomo rejected a $10,000 contribution from Malik as have others weary of being associated with a known criminal and lawbreaker (Malik's been arrested for child-abuse, found guilty of illegal discharge of a weapon, guilty of violating political campaign finance laws and charged with fraud & settled in an international Ponzi scheme involving fugitive Jack Utsick, a one-time entertainment promoter whom Malik is partners with.

See also:

Don't be Fooled by Silence: Clan Ilitch likely Supports (Perhaps Funding) New International Trade Crossing (NITC) Effort

2011-12-06T07:00:00.002-08:00

That Tom Shields is out front on behalf of, and viciously attacking opponents of, the proposed New International Trade Crossing (NITC) and that Mike Malik, Mike & Marian Ilitch, and the Ilitch brands are conspicuously absent is not insignificant. They are either very involved behind the scenes helping to bankroll the efforts to approve NITC or they're asserting to Matty Moroun and the people at Ambassador Bridge that they're not involved (albeit with fingers crossed behind their backs) while their agent Shields' is an attack dog for the pro-NITC cause.

NITC: Which Way Ilitch?

Bridge Battle Posts at HuffingtonPost.com

Tom Shields is the president of Lansing, Michigan-based Marketing Resource Group. A large segment of his business is earned representing affiliates/partners of Michael J. Malik, Sr., and/or Mike Ilitch and his wife Marian Ilitch (Ilitch Holdings, Inc., Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings, Little Caesar's pizza, MotorCity Casino, etc.).

If one sees Shields' name associated with any business coalition, political committee or a client that's not one of the premium brands mentioned above, odds are still pretty good that he's there because Malik and the Ilitches want him to be. When Shields refuses to reveal to a reporter who it is that's bankrolling a coalition or committee he's pimping for, odds are good Malik & the Ilitches are funding all or part of the effort. And even if Malik or the Ilitches don't have any direct interest in the coalition, political committee or client Shields claims to be representing, you can bet he has their blessing; otherwise, he wouldn't take the assignment.

So with that in mind, consider that Shields' is the spokesman for a coalition baking the New International Trade Crossing (a proposed second bridge connecting Detroit with Windsor, Canada). That bridge is at the center of a multi-million dollar, no holds barred, war raging in Michigan and beyond. (Read more at Huffington Post).

Typically, Shields' has refused to disclose who is funding the political, lobbying and advertising battles for the pro-NITC group although he's published a list of more than 100 individuals and organizations that "endorse" NITC. If those funding his coalition are on that list, why wouldn't he just point to that list? Take a look at that list. Then consider who's not on the list but would have interests in such an international connection.

You'll note that Michael Malik, Mike & Marian Ilitch, Christopher Ilitch, plus any of their venerable brands are conspicuously absent from the list; as are any of Detroit's three commercial gambling halls including the Las Vegas-owned MGM Grand Detroit. Yet, Shields is the mouthpiece for the "coaltion" backing the proposed government funded bridge. Hmmmm....

If Ilitch or gambling money isn't backing the pro-NITC group, you can bet that Shields has their blessing. Otherwise he'd have turned down the role.

If Ilitch and company brands or Las Vegas gambling interests are bankrolling the pro-NITC effort, there are many reasons political, marketing, etc. that they would want to keep that on the down low. That they've "secretly" funded Shields' campaigns and coalitions previously shouldn't surprise anyone that they could likely be bankrolling this pro-NITC effort now.

But perhaps they're not providing funding, or publicly endorsing but simply loaning Shields out to the cause. Maybe there's a conflict of interest on their part.

Consider that TVT has previously linked Michael Malik (and the Ilitches) with Manuel "Matty" Moroun, owner of Detroit's existing Ambassador International Bridge -- the decades old privately owned toll-bridge. And it's Moroun, along with the Koch brothers and others who are funding the multi-million dollar battle against the proposed NITC which would be built in large part with government funding.

Among other things, Moroun and Michael Malik have been Grosse Pointe neighbors. Malik owns property across Lake St. Clair on Harsens Island. Malik had dusted off and re-introduced development plans for Harsens Island a year or two ago that included a large man-made lagoon (marina) with access to the North Channel plus several hundred residential units (single family estate lots, attached garden homes and high-rise condominiums) surrounding the lagoon. The Ilitch's daughter Denise and her ex-husband originally owned the Harsens Island property and coincidentally, or maybe not, Moroun was also talking about a new Harsens Island bridge at the same time.

That Tom Shields would be playing such a high-profile role in such a contentious and expensive battle over the NITC, suggests he's doing it with the Malik/Ilitch blessing or even more so, at their request.

Regardless, someone should be asking these obvious questions.

See also:

Hawaii's Gambling Industry Lobbyists

2011-12-05T08:00:00.210-08:00

Hawaii's known gambling lobbyists have numerous affiliations in common, plus intermingled business/financial interests and clients with likely conflicts of interest: (A) Boyd Gaming Company transports patrons from the Hawaiian Islands to its California casinos; (B) Casino Syndicate organized by MotorCity Casino interests wants to develop and operate a Las Vegas-style casino in Waikiki. While attempting to suggest their efforts aren't coordinated or known to one another, these amateurs have been sloppy with their fingerprints.

George A. Morris (aka G. A. Morris, G. A. Red Morris, George A. "Red" Morris, Red Morris), affiliated with Capitol Consultants of Hawaii (president) and G. A. Morris, Inc. (a partner in Capitol Consultants of Hawaii). Clients: Marketing Resource Group (MRG) for a Detroit casino syndicate organized by Michael J. Malik, Sr. and Mrs. Marian Ilitch (CCM Merger/Detroit Entertainment dba MotorCity Casino); and Boyd Gaming Company (NYSE: BYD).

John H. Radcliffe, affiliated with Capitol Consultants of Hawaii (vice president and partner) and Radcliffe & Associates. Clients: Marketing Resource Group (MRG) for a Detroit casino syndicate organized by Michael J. Malik, Sr. and Mrs. Marian Ilitch (CCM Merger/Detroit Entertainment dba MotorCity Casino). It's believed he conceived and controls Citizens for a Better Way, LLC.

Elizabeth Hata Watanabe (aka Liz Watanabe, Liz Hata Watanabe, Elizabeth C. Watanabe, Elizabeth C. Jimenez) affiliated with Citizens for a Better Way, LLC as its only member and its manage; and Hata Foundation. Previous affiliations EHW LLC, EHW-II LLC, Hawaii's Big Deal Poker Tournament. Clients: Radcliffe & Associates which represents and receives payments from MRG's Detroit casino syndicate.

Locals' Perception Local
The Detroiters know that generally, locals in most communities are likley to resist the legalization of gambling or the expansion of gambling opportunities if such proposals are championed by outsiders (Las Vegas Casino Lords, Detroit Casino Syndicates, etc.). Trust is a key factor in approving proposals and locals are less likely to trust Las Vegas or Detroit casino operators whose interests might conflict with Hawaii interests. Not to mention, Las Vegas and Detroit have reputations tied to organized crime, higher crime rates, illegal activities, corruption, etc.

Truth is Detroit and Las Vegas Gambling Interests Behind Hawaii Schemes
That MRG (a PR firm) has retained the lobbyists on behalf of its Detroit Casino Syndicate client (MotorCity Casino) is intended to bury the truth that Detroit gambling interests are bankrolling and pushing Waikiki casino development schemes -- not Hawaiians! Further, the last time the Detroiters were successful pushing plans for casino development, they were fronting for Las Vegas Gambling Lords. Of the many yet unanswered questions: are the Detroiters via their PR firm actually bankrolling the Waikiki casino schemes on behalf of Las Vegas partners like Boyd Gaming for instance? You're not likely to get a straight answer from the lobbyists or the Detroiter's PR firm.

See for yourself, the lobbyists hired to push the legalization of gambling in Hawaii were engaged by and are being paid by Detroit gambling interests with ties to Las Vegas Casino Lords -- not locals!

Search lobbyist registrations via the Hawaii Ethics Commission or click on the links in the Scribd.com box below.

See also,

Obama repeats support for 'Carcieri fix' on Indian land rights | The Providence Journal

2011-12-03T08:07:00.000-08:00

Obama repeats support for 'Carcieri fix' on Indian land rights |The Providence Journal

12.02.2011

By John E. Mulligan, Washington bureau

WASHINGTON -- President Obama on Friday reiterated his support for legislation to undo a 2009 Supreme Court decision that deemed the Narragansett Indians ineligible to place a parcel of their land into a trust status that would exempt it from state and local laws and taxes.

"In the wake of the Carcieri decision, we've asked Congress to restore the secretary of Interior's authority to take land into trust for federally-recognized Indian tribes," Mr. Obama told the third annual White House Tribal Nations Conference. Indian rights advocates consider the decision a threat to the sovereignty of all tribes.

The so-called "Carcieri fix," broadly supported across Indian Country, is pending in Congress. Officials of a number of states oppose the measure.

Reps McCarthy & Bishop: The Company They're Keeping Will Surely Lead to Regret

2011-12-02T12:10:00.002-08:00

Reps. McCarthy & Bishop

While New York’s Governor Andrew Cuomo rejected a $10k contribution from crooked Casino Syndicator Michael J. Malik, Sr.; Long Island Reps. Carolyn McCarthy & Tim Bishop banked $$$ from the shady character.

Then after cashing the checks, both elected leaders announced their support for the Detroiter's Long Island Casino schemes.

If they’d only done a little due diligence. Or perhaps they too are persons of questionable character?

But as the saying goes, "You can tell a lot about a person by the company they keep."

Highlight’s of Casino Syndicator Michael J. Malik, Sr.'s Criminal Past:

In Michigan, arrested & served probation for child abuse following the public street beating of his girlfriend's 12-year-old son. Reportedly this is one of the reasons Malik won’t get a gaming license from the Michigan Gaming Control Board. (Detroit News)

In Arizona, found guilty of illegally discharging a fire arm and serving out terms of probation which included nearly $15,000 fine and a suspended license. (Minutes of AZ Hearing)

In California, fined multiple times for repeated violations of political reform laws, failing to report dozens of contributions totaling more than $53,000 and fined $10,000 for those offenses. (Matter 2006: FPPC Press Release. Matter 2009: FPPC Press Release and Exhibit 1.)

In Florida, charged with fraud in federal Ponzi scheme related case and forced to repay $170,000. (Goldberg v. Malik: Settlement Agreement). Despite those circumstances, Malik continues an “active” business partnership with Jack Utsick, the international fugitive at the center of the $300 million Ponzi scheme. (AB Funding, LLC: Organization Statement. Complete Michigan DL&EG File.)

See also:

On Twitter:

Rep. Carolyn McCarthy: @RepMcCarthyNY

Rep. Tim Bishop: @TimBishopNY

Mayor Proposes Alternatives for Nassau Coliseum and Detroiters' Shinnecock Gambling Hall

2011-12-02T09:00:00.001-08:00

Mayor Thomas J. Tweedy

MAYOR'S MESSAGE
11.17.2011

Mayor’s Message Village of Floral Park: November 17, 2011

“While stands the Colosseum, Rome shall stand; when falls the Colosseum, Rome shall fall; and when Rome falls – the world.” Those famous words describing ancient Rome were written on the office wall of the executive director of Mitchel Field when the Nassau Coliseum was being constructed in 1971 (New York Times 12/5/1971 “A Colossus Rises on Hempstead Plains”). When the Nassau Coliseum opened in 1972, built for under $32 million, that Nassau County leader understood the enormous impact the new arena at Mitchel Field would have on its Long Island community.

Today, Long Island is at a tipping point and the Nassau Coliseum is the nexus of the fiscal and emotional morass many Nassau County residents feel. The rebuilding of a new and improved entertainment center at Nassau County’s 77-acre Hub site would be a sure sign to all that Long Island will continue to be a major league community in this new century. In many ways, if the Nassau Coliseum falls, Long Island as we know it shall fall, and when Long Island falls, the American Dream that created Long Island in the first place, is in danger of being lost. It is therefore imperative that Nassau County’s leaders act decisively and boldly to make sure that the Colossus which rose on the Hempstead Plains forty years ago, does not fall and becomes a place of abandonment and lost glory.

It is obvious that creative ideas and innovative thinking are in order to make the Hub a beacon drawing people from all over to visit our region. The proposal last year by the Shinnecock Indian Nation that was initially so positively embraced by Nassau County’s leaders, to have a portion of the Hub set aside for a casino, now needs to be fully explored. Given Nassau County’s taxpayers strong resistance to any additional tax burden relating to rebuilding the Nassau Coliseum, as the referendum this past summer surely demonstrated, other ways to get this accomplished must be explored.

So the following is offered for consideration to the ongoing public debate by this public servant.
Like Yankee Stadium and CitiField, the new Nassau Coliseum should be built adjacent to the old at its current 77-acre Hub site. There is also a need to have a steady stream of revenue to finance the construction of a new arena, other than new taxes from homeowners. One way to accomplish the goal of creating a new Coliseum for Nassau County and a new casino for the Shinnecock Indian Nation is to build a new Coliseum in the parking lot of the old Coliseum, and then turn the keys to the old Coliseum over to the Shinnecock Indian Nation to use as the location for its new casino. In addition to the $14 million that the New York Islanders promised to annually provide Nassau County for a new arena, the Shinnecock Indian Nation would provide a portion of their gaming receipts to reimburse the financial costs to build a new Coliseum with the understanding that the hosting community surrounding the Coliseum are first made whole for accepting the additional burden of a casino in their midst. While the new Coliseum is being built, the New York Islanders would agree to stay in the current building and the Shinnecock Indian Nation could use that time to get their casino plans in order.

Belmont Park should be updated as a world-class thoroughbred racing facility. That can be accomplished through the use of the revenue stream for capital improvements already set aside for NYRA from its Aqueduct VLT operation. As for jobs, building a new Coliseum and casino consecutively at the Hub will certainly create more jobs than just a casino at Belmont Park alone.

The State of New York, which owns and controls Belmont Park, should support the creation of additional recreational opportunities for the communities surrounding Belmont Park. Using some portion of the 28 acre parking field south of Hempstead Turnpike for use by local residents for soccer should be explored. Likewise, the parking field behind the Floral Park-Bellerose Elementary School, which presently is being used as a make-shift tractor trailer animal feed distribution/storage facility, a trash dumpster transfer yard and a new car storage lot, should be converted to create additional sporting fields for our local residents in keeping with our vision of improving Belmont Park.

The possibility of reutilizing the old Coliseum and creating a new world class entertainment arena allowing the Islanders to stay home on Long Island, while providing a reliable funding source dedicated to debt satisfaction as well as a continuing source of revenue for Nassau County taxpayers is a win-win for everyone.

This is a proposal that should be discussed by all the stakeholders and not immediately shot down by special interest lobbyists who have their own plans for the Hub plans, which do not provide a realistic chance for either the Coliseum for the New York Islanders or a new casino for the Shinnecock Indian Nation.

Marketing Resource Group: the Tom Shields-owned Political/PR Firm is a Slave to Ilitch/Malik Affiliates

2011-12-01T10:00:00.028-08:00

Tom Shields founded Marketing Resource Group (MRG), a Lansing, Michigan-based political marketing and public relations firm, in 1979. The firm is closely identified with Republican interests but overriding that are the interests of Detroit’s Ilitch Family and their associate Michael J. Malik, Sr.

Mike & Marian Ilitch appear annually on Forbe’s list of 400 Richest Americans. Currently Forbes estimate’s their net worth at $2 billion. The Ilitches are co-founders of Little Caesars pizza. He owns the Detroit Tigers MLB franchise and she owns MotorCity Casino. Together they own the Detroit Red Wings NHL franchise and numerous other affiliates under the Ilitch Holdings, Inc., umbrella. With Malik, they’ve pursued gaming opportunities in Michigan as well as New York, California & Hawaii.

Shields/MRG were among a stable of consultants who planned and executed a secretly funded last minute advertising blitz in 1996 credited with winning voter approvals for Detroit's three Las Vegas-style gambling halls. Currently Shields is spokesperson and attack dog for a so-called "coalition" of undisclosed interests bankrolling plans for the proposed New International Trade Crossing (NITC), a second international bridge that would link Detroit with Windsor, Canada. Ilitch,. Malik and the portfolio of Ilitch brands are conspicuously absent from that battle; nevertheless, Shields is front and center.

The following is a list of clients posted on Marketing Resource Groups website. Those in bold are believed to be Ilitch/Malik affiliates and related. For at least a decade, Malik/Ilitch affiliates likely represent the overwhelming majority of MRG’s revenues. Shields is certainly obligated to get their blessing for any client that is not affiliated.

MARKETING RESOURCE GROUP CLIENT LIST

Clients	Website links
BarWest ~~Gaming~~, L.L.C.
Bay Mills Community College	www.bmcc.edu
Bay Mills Indian Community	www.4baymills.com/index.html
Border Crossing Labs	bordercrossinglabs.com
Coca- Cola Operations North America	Coca-Cola Website
Continental Aluminum	www.continentalaluminum.com
Detroit Red Wings	www.hockeytown.com
Detroit Tigers	http://tigers.mlb.com
Gateway Casino Resorts, L.L.C.
Hawaii Entertainment L.L.C.
Ilitch Holdings	www.ilitchholdings.com
Insurance Institute of Michigan	www.iiminfo.org
John Moolenaar for State Senate
Kennecott Minerals Company	~~www.kennecottminerals.com~~
Lauren Hager for State Senate
Little River Band of Ottawa Indians
Michigan Association of Public School Academies	www.charterschools.org
Michigan Deer and Elk Farmers Association
Michigan Legislative Consultants
Michigan Township Association
Minerals Processing Corporation	~~www.backfortympc.com~~
MotorCity Casino	www.motorcitycasino.com
Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Indians	http://www.nhbpi.com/
Nestle Waters North America	www.perriergroup.com
Packaging Corporation of America	www.packagingcorp.com
Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians	www.pokagon.com
Renegade Charters L.L.C.	www.renegadechartersmanistee.com
Republic Services
~~Safe-Travel L.L.C.~~	~~www.safe-travel.com~~
Shinnecock Indian Nation	www.shinnecocknation.com
Thomas More Law Center	www.thomasmore.org
Wolverine Pipe Line Company -	~~www.wolverinepipeline.net~~

Blogger's Note: In Hawaii, several lobbyists and lobbying organizations have been retained by Tom Shields' Marketing Resource Group. It is understood that MRG has retained John Radcliffe, Radcliffe & Associates, Capitol Consultants of Hawaii and George A. "Red" Morris to represent the interests of Shields' client, a Detroit casino syndicate organized by Michael Malik and Marian Ilitch. That syndicate has pursued various schemes that would allow them to develop and operate a Waikiki casino. TVT and others believe it's likely that MRG is also the source of funding for a pro-gambling front group that suddenly appeared in Honolulu earlier this year, the so-called "Citizens" for a Better Way, LLC.

Forbes Reports Ilitch-Owned Franchise one of NHL's Most Valuable

2011-12-01T08:00:00.005-08:00

Detroit Red Wings Second Most Profitable US Franchise;
MotorCity Casino Workers Forced to Pay Own Healthcare Costs

Forbes' 2011 NHL Team Values

Forbes is out with its 2011 NHL Team Values: The Business of Hockey. Despite economic woes among other US sectors, Forbes reports the NHL valuations have hit an all-time high. The Detroit Red Wings, owned by Michael and Marian Ilitch, valued at $336 million, ranks #4 out of 30 NHL teams. That's up 7% over 2010.

Forbes Profile
Billionaire Michael Ilitch, through Olympia Entertainment, has a highly integrated and valuable entertainment empire. In sports, Olympia controls the Red Wings, Little Caesars AAA hockey club and baseball's Detroit Tigers, as well as their stadiums, Joe Louis Arena (hockey) and Comerica Park (baseball). Outside of sports, Olympia runs the Fox Theatre (over 4,800 seats), Cobo Arena and Hockeytown Cafe,voted the number two sports bar in the country week after week by ESPN2’s Cold Pizza. Olympia also owns food distribution businesses that Ilitch leverages at his stadiums and a casino in Detroit.

The Red Wings are a significant part of the annual marketing plan for the Ilitch-owned MotorCity Casino frequently making guest appearances and hosting star-studded poker tournaments. Unfortunately for the Ilitch bank the same isn't true for the Ilitch-owned Detroit Tigers baseball team. Given its history of scandals, Major League Baseball has specific regulations prohibiting the mingling of baseball and gambling interests.

The Ilitches realized a $16.3 million operating income from their NHL franchise this past season ranking it the #2 most profitable US franchise; and players and management continue to draw multi-million dollar paychecks. Ilitch continues to fuel up the Gulfstream Jet for the clan's personal travel and vacation in Boca Raton, FL. Their business partner paid $5.4 million cash for a New York Penthouse. Those aren't the circumstances for the hardworking staff at MotorCity Casino. In a labor negotiation that took place earlier this Fall, the Ilitch gambling hall workers were told to start paying some of their own healthcare costs or face job loses.

#Occupy Ilitch Holdings, Inc.

GAMBLING: Anti-gambling groups outgunned in Capitol debate | PE.com

2011-11-30T15:00:00.001-08:00

GAMBLING: Anti-gambling groups outgunned in Capitol debate | PE.com - The Press-Enterprise

11.15.2011

By Jim Miller

jmiller@pe.com

SACRAMENTO — Legalizing some form of Internet gambling in California depends on prominent gaming tribes, the horse-racing industry, key lawmakers and other moneyed interests being able to come to terms.

The outcome does not hinge on what people like the Rev. James Butler have to say.

Butler, executive director of the California Coalition Against Gambling Expansion [CCAGE], is a leading critic of the idea of opening cyberspace to legal gambling. Compulsive gambling already ruins the lives of thousands, he and others contend, and letting people bet without ever leaving the house would make the problem worse.

But as lawmakers weigh the largest expansion of legalized gambling in state history, a once-influential coalition of gambling critics is overshadowed by competing gambling interests or otherwise missing in action.

The focus seems to be on how — not if — government should allow online gambling and derive revenue from it. (Complete Story)

Legal forms of gambling in California

WampaLeaks: Citizens for a Stronger Massachusetts shows troubl...

2011-11-29T10:00:00.001-08:00

WampaLeaks: Citizens for a Stronger Massachusetts shows troubl...: Citizens for a Stronger Massachusetts released several documents containing detailed analysis of the proposed gambling bill. These documents...

Follow the Money (if you can)
Gambling Revenue Distributions
Gambling Timeline
Expanded Gambling & Local Aid
Future Local Aid Scenario

Don't Let 'em Fool You...

2011-11-20T09:00:00.003-08:00

In gambling the many
must lose...
in order that the few
may win.
George Bernard Shaw

Consider this: The owner of Detroit's MotorCity Casino and her husband (Mike & Marian Ilitch) are now worth $2 billion according to Forbes -- up from $1.7 billion in 2010. They've taken millions from MotorCity Casino to pay-off Las Vegas casino moguls and Wall Street fat cats. But in October, workers at MotorCity Casino were told to start paying some of their own healthcare costs or face job loses.

Ruse: Citizens for a Better Way, LLC

2011-11-18T10:00:00.005-08:00

ruse n. (rūs, rūz)

Definition: strategem intended to mislead, deceive, or trick; conspiracy,wiley subterfuge.

Synonyms: artful dodge, trick, deceit, deception, conspiracy, angle, sham, stunt, lie, ploy, maneuver, red herring, coup, dirty deal, gimmick, hoax, scheme, racket.

Example: Citizens for a Better Way, LLC, is a ruse: bankrolled by secret interests who, for whatever reason, want to operate outside the norms of Hawaii's Ethics Commission; and designed by experienced labor and gambling industry lobbyists desperate for the appearance of "grassroots" support demanding approval of schemes to enable a Las Vegas-style casino in Waikiki.

Citizens for a Better Way, LLC at:
Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs
Hawaii Ethics Commission

New BMIC Chair Signals Tribe Won't Abandon Litigation that Shut-Down Vanderbilt Casino

2011-11-18T08:33:00.000-08:00

New BMIC Chairman Kurt Perron

Kurt Perron, the new Chairman of the Bay Mills Indian Community signals to the Tribe and others that under his leadership, BMIC will not abandon litigation that has resulted in the tribe's Vanderbilt casino being locked up indefinitely and blocks any future casino development schemes the Tribe and its partner, controversial Detroit casino syndicator Michael J. Malik, Sr., had dreamed of for Port Huron & Flint Township.

No doubt, former BMIC Chair Jeff Parker had previously entered into Development Agreements with Malik or his affiliates protecting Malik's interests. Malik has indicated that his Blue Water Resorts syndicate and others have invested $15-25 million during the last two decades attempting to win approvals for his Bay Mills casino in Port Horn. Given that, it's not likely Malik will walk away from or be pushed away from BMIC. He is known to be tenacious and a bully.

Those who've followed TVT regularly will recall several instances where leaders of the Los Coyotes Band of Indians attempted to part company with Malik or undertake business development strategies potentially in conflict with Malik's objectives; and in such instances, the Detroiter saw to it that those leaders were replaced and individuals loyal to him were installed in their place.

BayMillsNews.com

Tribe continues work on gaming issues
11.16.2011

BAY MILLS — Bay Mills Indian Community elected new tribal leaders on Nov. 2, but the commitment to the current litigation regarding the Vanderbilt Casino remains the same.

“Our first day in office, Nov. 7, we formally agreed as a council to continue working together on our gaming issues, including our properties in Vanderbilt, Flint, and Port Huron,” said newly elected Tribal Chairman Kurt Perron. He is joined by another new face on the council, Joe LeBlanc, serving as vice-chairman. The rest of the council remains the same, as incumbents John Paul Lufkins, Richard LeBlanc and Bucko Teeple held onto their seats in the election.

The council’s actions come on the heels of an Oct. 19 General Tribal Council meeting of the Bay Mills Indian Community membership. At that meeting, Perron made a motion before the prior council to continue moving forward with the litigation. The tribal membership unanimously approved Perron’s motion.

"I am committed to working aggressively and diligently with the entire council to advance this litigation and related pursuits,” said Perron.

The tribe has a July 2012 court date scheduled.

Sen. Wakai's Affiliate Included in Lobbyist's Bankruptcy; LLC Reportedly Established to Lobby for Gambling in Hawaii Omitted

2011-11-17T08:58:00.001-08:00

According to Court Documents filed in the Elizabeth Hata Watanabe bankruptcy case, she owes High Impact Communications located in Honolulu, $3,841.45, noted as a claim for general business services billed in 2010.

HighImpactPR.com | Testimonials

High Impact Communications is a Honolulu public relations firm owned by Glenn Wakai. Watanabe is featured on the firm’s website: “Testimonials” page.

“High Impact Communications has been there for me every step of the way. I could not be more satisfied. Glenn’s media strategy and crisis management plans have been key to my profitability. He is quick to respond to requests, takes an energetic approach to projects, and is such a joy to work with.”
- Liz Watanabe, Business Owner

It’s unclear what purposes Watanabe, or her affiliate(s), retained Wakai to provide. She had closed down her failed O Lounge nightclub (EHW, LLC) and a short-lived restaurant operation (EHW-II, LLC) prior to 2010 but had organized a tax-exempt nonprofit, the Hata Foundation, to raise funds for other charities; and in 2010, that nonprofit was affiliated with Hawaii’s Big Deal: Poker Tournament, a reality TV show that aired on KHON Saturdays during Fall 2010.

Hawaii Sen. Glenn Wakai (D-15th)

As it turns out, Glenn Wakai, a Democrat, also serves as Hawaii State Senator, representing the voters of District 15: Kalihi, Moanalua Gardens, Salt Lake, Aliamanu, Foster Village, Hickam, Pearl Harbor, Pearl Ridge and ‘Aiea.

Previously, Sen. Wakai served eight years in the State House of Representatives. He is the current vice-chair of the Senate's Committee on Economic Development and Technology, and is a member of the Committees on Ways and Means, and Agriculture.

Wakai was also a TV news reporter affiliated with KHON-FOX2 and KHNL News 8. He formed High Impact in 2007.

According to the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii website, Wakai was to host the “Stars of Hope” fundraiser for Watanabe and the Hata Foundation in January 2011. Individual tickets were $100; tables of 10 seats $1,000; and sponsorships at $2,000. A blog associated with the Star-Advertiser notes that Sen. Will Espero was also Watanabe’s guest at the event; although there's been disclosure of any gift or payment to Espero.

Limited Liability Company Established &
Managed By Elizabeth Hata Watanabe

April 1, 2011, Watanabe reportedly organized and registered Citizensfor a Better Way, LLC (CFBW), with the Hawaii Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs (DCCA). About April 2, she registered with the Hawaii Ethics Commission as a lobbyist for CFBW. Watanabe has not previously been registered as a lobbyist. CFBWs mission: Say No to Taxes…Yes to a Single Casino in Waikiki. By all indications, Watanabe is partnering with career lobbyist John Radcliffe on this effort; but to what extent, is unclear because both have been mysterious and dishonest about details to date.

So, in her original Bankruptcy filing, Watanabe reported owing Sen. Wakai's firm $3,841.45 but failed to inform the Bankruptcy Court of her affiliation with CFBW, a group she registered with DCCA about six weeks before filing bankruptcy. It's worthy of noting that Watanabe is the only member of CFBW and its Manager. On May 31^st, about two weeks prior to filing bankruptcy, Watanabe, as manager of CFBW, made payments of nearly $40,000 related to “Advertising Media” expenses. It’s not clear what, if anything, Wakai’s PR firm might have received. Watanabe and Radcliffe have yet to truthfully disclose where that money came from and to whom it was paid.

Oddly, CFBW failed to report any payments to lobbyist Watanabe as part of its required disclosures for the period ended April 30, 2011; although, as noted above, she is registered with the Ethics Commission.

During Hawaii’s 2011 legislative session, Radcliffe and Watanabe pushed for approval of SB 1247, a bill that would have allowed one commercial casino to be developed in Waikiki at the Aloha Tower and Marketplace.

As a member of the Senate Ways & Means Committee, Sen. Wakai voted to approve SB 1247, moving it forward in the legislative process.

@ Scribd.com: Various Documents Related to the Watanabe Bankruptcy

See also:

Blogger Speculates Hawaii's Gov. Abercrombie Poised for Gambling Flip-Flop

2011-11-16T19:01:00.001-08:00

CHANGING HAWAII'S POLITICS
Gambling in Hawaii, Gov. Abercrombie Sees The Light for a Single Casino?
10.08.2011

Well, no pun intended but, it’s “game on”. In an article this morning coming from The Star Advertiser, it was written that Gov. Neil Abercrombie is telling lawmakers he is willing to consider legalizing gambling next year.

Now I would link you to the article in The Star Advertiser in referring too but I don’t support their pay-to-view subscription policies. Anyhow…..

The issue of legalizing gambling in Hawaii has been on the legislative hot-plate for over 10 years. But within the same 10 years, the opposition to legalized gambling has put their foot down loud and clear.

So who wants the Casino? Citizens For A Better Way says there are real solid reason to support a single casino in Waikiki. They say over 3000 jobs to local people and a new tax revenue for the stat that will take the pressure off of social programs cut backs and teacher lay-offs.

So who doesn’t want a casino in Waikiki? For starters, the HPD and religious organizations and also the Boyd Gaming Corp., which operates the California, Fremont and Main Street Station hotels in Las Vegas, which are popular with Hawaii residents?... (More)

See also: