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Fine proposed for casino lobbying infractions

ALBANY, New York – As reported by the Buffalo News: "State lobbying investigators are recommending $325,000 in fines against a firm led by former State Attorney General Dennis C. Vacco for three alleged violations of New York's lobbying laws during its representation of a Rochester businessman trying to win a casino deal with an Oklahoma Indian tribe.

"The state lobbying commission, in one of its last official acts before it goes out of business later this year, in June will hear the case against Crane & Vacco, the agency's board ruled Tuesday.

"A year ago, Vacco's firm was cleared by the Albany County district attorney's office of allegations by state lobbying officials that a contract between Vacco's firm and Rochester businessman Thomas Wilmot violated prohibitions against success-fee contracts, which call for extra remuneration depending on the success of the lobbying effort.

"The Albany prosecutor was acting on evidence turned over by the lobbying commission, which already had been investigating Vacco's firm.

"Lawyers for Vacco have said the work the former attorney general did for Wilmot did not constitute the state's legal definition of lobbying at the time because there was no attempt to influence the passage or defeat of any legislation…"

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