Thursday, September 08, 2011

Shinnecock Casino Backers have dropped $107,500 on top-ranking NY Politicians

UPDATED: Gov. Cuomo rejected a $10,000 contribution from Malik.

During the last several election cycles, controversial Detroit gambling promoter Michael Malik has given (or bundled along with contributions from his partners Marian and Mike Ilitch) campaign contributions to these top-ranking New York politicians:

Rep. Timothy Bishop
$4,900
Gov. Andrew Cuomo
$15,0005,000
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand
$12,800
Rep. Charlie Rangel
$20,200
Sen. Chuck Schumer
$24,200

Malik & Ilitch are managers of affiliates said to be bankrolling and pushing plans by the Shinnecock Indian Nation to develop casinos on New York’s Long Island.  Among other gambling hall schemes, they seek to build a casino and related projects at Belmont Park near the famed race track.

During the 2010 election cycle Rep. Bishop came under fire for accepting contributions from Malik.  It was reported that Rep. Bishop would return the funds he received from Malik.  He did not.  Rather, according to records available at OpenSecrets.org, Bishop accepted an additional $2,500 from Malik on March 31, 2011.

Funds from Malik/Ilitch began flowing to Rep. Rangel at a time when other previously loyal donors abandoned Rangel because he was under investigation by the House Ethics Committee.  As the powerful chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee, Rep. Rangel oversees tax matters and policy critical to Malik/Ilitch casino development schemes and has sway with other House leaders and New Yorkers.

Senators Schumer and Gillibrand can be helpful to Malik/Ilitch as powerful members of the Senate.  Among other things, Malik/Ilitch affiliates have previously lobbied U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid unsuccessfully on matters and approvals needed for their casino schemes.  As TheVerifiableTruth.com has reported in multiple posts, they have previously relied upon, and heavily financed, Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow who has come up short on their behalf.  Malik also gave $30,400 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee which was likely directed to the 2010 re-election/election campaigns of Schumer/Gillibrand.

Governor Andrew Cuomo will have decision-making authority impacting Ilitch/Malik (Gateway Casino Resorts, Shinnecock Indian Nation) gaming schemes on Long Island. Questions have been raised surrounding the reporting of Malik’s $15,000 in contributions to Cuomo.  Further, Malik contributed $10,000 to the New York State Democratic Party that could have also been used to benefit Governor Cuomo.

During the Fall 2010 elections, two New York State Senators said they would return campaign contributions from Malik because of various controversies involving the Detroit casino promoter.

See these related posts:

1 comment:

Luz H. Moore said...

The action of the casino backers might be legal but is this ethical? Our politicians are being bought left and right ever since the citizen's united ruling.

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certainly must reads!

Ilitch has backed loosing sports teams and pizza, but casinos in Detroit? Forbes.com 10.09.06 ● Marian Ilitch #1 on "25 Most Powerful People" to Watch 2006” global gaming business o1.oo.o5 ● My Kingdom for a Casino Forbes 05.08.06 ● Big Lagoon’s casino dream awakens north coast journal 07.28.05 ● Shinnecocks launch legal claim to Hamptons land newsday.com 06.16.05 ● Ilitch Plans to Expand Casino Empire RGTonline.com 07.05.05 ● Ilitch outbids partners MichiganDaily.com 04.14.05 ● Ilitch enmeshed in NY casino dispute detnews.com 03.20.05 ● Marian Ilitch, high roller freep.com 03.20.05 ● MGM Mirage to Decide on Offer for Casino in Detroit rgtonline.com 04.16.05 ● Secret deal for MotorCity alleged freep.com 02.15.05 ● Los Coyotes get new developer desertdispatch.com 02.08.05 Detroit casino figure to finance Barstow project LasVegasSun.com 07.07.03 ● Indian Band trying to put casino in Barstow signonSanDiego.com 06.04.03 Pizza matriarch takes on casino roles detnews.com 10.23.02 ● Vanderbilt gets short straw in negotiations for a casino Lansing Journal 10.06.02 ● Indians aim to drive family from tribe in vicious dispute san diego union tribune 04.09.00 ●Malik owns 2000 Michigan Quarter Horse of the Year Michigan.gov 01.01.00 ● Detroit Team to run Michigan’s newest Indian casino detnews.com 05.23.99 Tiger ties tangle Marian Ilitch detnews.com 04.29.99 ● Three investors must sell their Detroit casino interests gamblingmagazine.com 04.25.99 ● Partners’ cash revived election; They say money was crucial to Prop-E detnews.com 04.25.99 Investors have troubled histories las vegas review journal 04.27.99 ● Investor served probation for domestic assault on 12 year old boy detnews.com 04.25.99 Can a pair win a jackpot?: local men hope to... crainsdetroit.com 03.17.97

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