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Casino Opponent Included in Meeting

ALBANY, New York – As reported by the New York Daily News: "The leader of an Indian tribe that runs New York's largest casino - and a leading opponent of gambling in the Catskills - is getting unusual inside access to a closed-door meeting of state lawmakers today, the Daily News has learned.

"According to several state senators and an internal Senate memo, Democrats are welcoming Ray Halbritter, whose Oneida Indian Nation has spent more than $2.4 million in the past few months to defeat Gov. Pataki's Catskills casino plan.

"…Blair Horner, legislative director of the New York Public Interest Research Group, said he was appalled Senate Democrats were shutting out the public to get a one-sided sell job from a powerful casino leader.

"…The Oneida Nation operates Turning Stone Casino in upstate Verona. Turning Stone's business would likely suffer if Pataki persuades lawmakers to allow five casinos in the Catskills.

"…Paterson's campaign war chest got a $5,000 contribution from the Oneida Nation in September, according to state Board of Elections records…"

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