247 Local Media247 Local Media

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    What's Hot

    An Overview of Online Casinos vs Traditional Casinos

    December 8, 2022

    Types of Specialists for Erectile Dysfunction

    October 31, 2022

    When students’ basic needs are met by community schools, learning can flourish

    September 27, 2022
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    • Home
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    247 Local Media247 Local Media
    Subscribe
    • Home
    • Automotive
    • Business
    • CBD
    • Crypto
    • Education
    • Entertainment
    • Fashion
    • Finance
    • Health
    • Home Improvement
    • Law \ Legal
    • News
    • Shopping
    • Sports
    • Technology
    • Travel
    • Contact US
    247 Local Media247 Local Media
    Home»Business»Hard Rock, eyeing casino license, put chips behind Hochul
    Business

    Hard Rock, eyeing casino license, put chips behind Hochul

    By June 29, 2022No Comments4 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Hard Rock, eyeing casino license, put chips behind Hochul
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
    Hard Rock, eyeing casino license, put chips behind Hochul

    [ad_1]

    An executive from Seminole Hard Rock casino reportedly sent a brazen “pay to play” email solicitation urging associates to put their chips behind Kathy Hochul’s campaign to be elected governor — as the firm makes an aggressive push to win a license to operate a gambling parlor in New York City.

    “Team, as we prepare for the final stretch of our process for the third New York City casino license, Seminole Hard Rock ask that you consider the attached reception event and donation. … Hoping we can count on your support for Governor Kathy Hochul and Happy Father’s Day!” said the recent email from the Hard Rock honcho, according to the gaming blog playny.com.

    Explicitly asking for donations in exchange for a particular government action could be construed as a quid pro quo, or bribery in law enforcement parlance, if consummated.

    By explicitly requesting donations in exchange for a certain government action, Seminole Hard Rock Casino's actions can be construed as quid pro quo.
    By explicitly requesting donations in exchange for a certain government action, Seminole Hard Rock Casino’s actions can be construed as quid pro quo.
    Getty Images

    “They’re throwing a lot of money around and clearly trying to get Hochul’s attention,” a casino industry source said of Hard Rock.

    One government watchdog group said the blatant email attributed to a rep from the casino operator shows that “New York government is for sale.”

    “The perception is Gov. Hochul put out a sign that that says, `New York is for sale,’” said John Kaehny, executive director of Reinvent Albany. “It’s pay to play. That’s the way donors view it and the Hochul campaign is cashing in on that perception.

    On June 20, Hard Rock hosted a fundraising event for Gov. Kathy Hochul's campaign at the new Hard Rock Hotel in New York City.
    On June 20, Hard Rock hosted a fundraising event for Gov. Kathy Hochul’s campaign at the new Hard Rock Hotel in New York City.
    AFP via Getty Images

    “The email reads like a quid pro quo. They’re expecting to get something in return for their contributions,” added Kaehny.

    Hard Rock, in a statement to The Post Tuesday, said it has launched an investigation into what it claims was an unauthorized email while acknowledging it hosted a big fundraising bash for Hochul on June 20 at its new hotel in Times Square.

    “Hard Rock hosted a fundraising event for Gov. Hochul on June 20th at the new Hard Rock Hotel in New York City. Participants were invited to that event via invitation that was approved by our compliance attorneys and sent by the President of Hard Rock Support Services with no reference to a casino or casino licensing process in New York,” the company said.

    Steve Cohen
    New York Mets owner Steve Cohen is said to be potentially partnering with Seminole Hard Rock for a casino project next to Citi Field.
    Charles Wenzelberg
    Eric Adams
    Seminole Hard Rock is also seeking support from Mayor Eric Adams, lobbying records show.
    Matthew McDermott

    “With regard to the alleged other e-mail, Hard Rock International takes these allegations very seriously and immediately initiated an internal investigation to determine whether anyone in our organization violated company policies related to political contributions.”

    Donors connected to Hard Rock have given Hochul more than $100,000 in donations this election cycle, according to a NY Times recent analysis of Hochul’s $34 million in campaign donations

    Seminole Hard Rock chairman Jim Allen gave $25,000 to Hochul on June 20 — the day of the fundraiser and the date listed in the email.

    Other donors were asked to kick in $25,000 to be a co-chairs for the Hochul campaign event.

    Seminole Hard Rock is said to be a contender for a potential partnership with New York Mets owner Steve Cohen for a casino project next to Citi Field in Willets Point.

    Lobbying records also show that Seminole Hard Rock is seeking support from Mayor Eric Adams. 

    The firm’s reps recently met with Frank Carone, the mayor’s chief of staff, lobbying records show.

    Cohen, the Mets owner and hedge fund mogul, donated $1.5 million last year to a super PAC that backed Adams’s successful campaign for City Hall.

    The state later this year will open a competitive bidding process to award licenses for up to three casinos in the downstate region that could be sited in the the Big Apple and /or the surrounding suburbs.

    Two existing slots parlors, Genting’s Resorts World at Aqueduct race track and MGM’s Empire City at Yonkers Raceway, also are vying for a license to offer table games.

    The state is expected to receive $500 million from casino operators per license.

    The Hochul campaign declined comment.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

    Related Posts

    Beyond Meat, Impossible struggle due to ‘woke’ perception: analysts

    September 26, 2022

    Developer hustles to build ‘Bustle’ in Penn Station area

    September 26, 2022

    Amazon rolls out second Prime Day this year for first time ever

    September 26, 2022
    Add A Comment

    Comments are closed.

    Editors Picks
    Recent Posts
    • An Overview of Online Casinos vs Traditional Casinos
    • Types of Specialists for Erectile Dysfunction
    • When students’ basic needs are met by community schools, learning can flourish
    • Walmart and Target Are Hiring 140,000 Seasonal Workers
    • 7 Ways to Get Affordable Dental Care for Adults and Children
    Archives
    • December 2022
    • October 2022
    • September 2022
    • August 2022
    • July 2022
    • June 2022
    • September 2021
    Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Vimeo YouTube
    • Home
    © 2022 - 247 Local Media- All Rights Reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.