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NY Casino Illegal
Last September, the Appellate Division of the
State Supreme Court in
Rochester agreed that
then-Governor Mario Cuomo exceeded his authority when he entered into a compact with the Oneida Indian Nation in 1993. It came, the court said, without legislative approval. "It was a bit of a sweetheart deal at the time, and as it turned out it was invalid because the Legislature never approved it," said attorney Neil Murray. Turning Stone Resort Illegally Operating May 5, 2006 09:47 AM Turning Stone says it will remain open. A New York resort that attracts more than four-million visitors a year, has hotels, spas, golf and a convention center - not to mention a massive casino, is operating illegally. A court ruling says Turning Stone Casino in Verona never had a deal to build in the first place. The state's highest court, the Court of Appeals, said "no dice" to another hearing regarding Turning Stone Casino. It keeps a ruling from last fall in place. Last September, the Appellate Division of the State Supreme Court in Rochester agreed that then-Governor Mario Cuomo exceeded his authority when he entered into a compact with the Oneida Indian Nation in 1993. It came, the court said, without legislative approval. "It was a bit of a sweetheart deal at the time, and as it turned out it was invalid because the Legislature never approved it," said attorney Neil Murray. Murray is the attorney for the Upstate Citizens for Equality. The group sued to force the Oneida Nation to pay taxes. "At some point here, this is lawlessness, and we're all expected to abide by the law and I don't see any reason why a big powerful Indian Nation should be any different and thumb their nose at the law," Murray said. The Oneida Nation spokesman contends the compact is valid under federal law, saying, "nothing in state court can change that." In response to this, a senior lawyer for Governor Pataki wrote to the National Indian Gaming Commission, asking if they, "view the ongoing gaming activities to be lawful and, if not, whether the NIGC intends to take action and the nature of such action." The casino and resort, which covers over 85-hundred acres, says it will remain open. Last year, the US Supreme Court ruled the former reservation land was subject to local taxes and laws. The Oneidas have since paid more than five-million dollars to cover expenses. Murray says the Governor and Attorney General need to hash this out now, or shut down the casino. http://www.wten.com/Global/story.asp?S=4865459 |
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