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$500 Donation Costs Company $300 Million Deal31 March 2003DETROIT, Michigan –As reported by the Detroit News: "A Detroit-based construction firm that helped build the interim Greektown Casino and was retained to work on its more lavish resort is on the verge of getting booted from the new $300 million project because its owner made a $500 political contribution to Southfield's mayor during a golf outing. "Michigan regulators say state law prohibits suppliers from making political contributions after applying for licenses to furnish goods and services to Detroit casinos. "As one of the nation's biggest black-owned builders, Jenkins Construction Inc. received a temporary license in 1999. It constructed the temporary Greektown while regulators investigated whether Jenkins qualified for a permanent license. "But in August 2001, James Jenkins donated $500 to Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence, disqualifying him for a permanent license, according to the Michigan Gaming Control Board, which regulates Detroit casinos. "…He's the third casino supplier since January to be publicly haunted by political donations. In February, Lavdas Enterprises, limousine services provider to MGM Grand Detroit Casino, and LaBelle Communications, which services Greektown's surveillance cameras, also were denied licenses…" |