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:
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 | $ |
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:
- Scandal Continues to Plague Political and Lobbying Activities of Detroiters Bankrolling Shinnecock Casino Plans
- Congressman Bishop Under Fire For Accepting Michael Malik's Contribution
- Questions Surrounding $15K Gov. Cuomo Accepted From Detroit Casino Syndicator
- Really? Poor Impoverished Indian Tribes have spent $5.6 million Lobbying for Casinos
1 comment:
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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