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Proposed bill to limit gambling board's lawyers

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania -- As reported by the Pittsburgh Tribune: "Lawyers for the state Gaming Control Board would be prohibited from working for casinos for one year after leaving the board under legislation proposed Monday.

"Senate Majority Whip Jane Orie, a McCandless Republican, introduced the bill in response to a Tribune-Review report last week that the board's former director of gambling operations registered as a lobbyist for Philadelphia Park and Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs three days after leaving the board.

"The Gaming Act requires board employees to wait a year before working for the gambling industry. But Kevin Hayes, a Scranton attorney who joined a law firm representing the casinos, said the one-year prohibition doesn't apply to him because he is a lawyer. The state Supreme Court has sole authority to regulate lawyers.

"...'The need for this legislation has become clear given reports in the media concerning the fact that the former chairman ... and (Hayes) are now working for law firms where they represent casinos,' Orie said in a memo to senators. Orie would make it a condition of employment for lawyers joining the gambling board..."

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