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New Jersey Governor's Casino Trips Scrutinized

NEW JERSEY – As reported by the New Jersey Star-Ledger: "Casino regulators have asked the state attorney general to authorize an investigation into whether freebies and perks were improperly bestowed on the governor and his staff during unpublicized visits to Trump Plaza in 2002, according to two law enforcement sources.

"Casino regulators have asked the state attorney general to authorize an investigation into whether freebies and perks were improperly bestowed on the governor and his staff during unpublicized visits to Trump Plaza in 2002, according to two law enforcement sources.

"The request is contained in a memo sent in the last two weeks to state Attorney General Peter Harvey from Division of Gaming Enforcement Director Tom Auriemma, the two sources said.

"…The memo outlines findings from a preliminary inquiry casino investigators conducted after a newspaper report detailing visits Gov. James E. McGreevey and his top aides made to Atlantic City during the governor's first year in office, the sources said. The visits were not listed on the governor's public schedule.

"…The investigators want to determine whether the governor or his aides received any special treatment, such as free meals and room upgrades, during the Trump Plaza visits in 2002, after McGreevey took office.

"…The review produced no hard evidence of special favors. But the memo says investigators uncovered anecdotal evidence they felt should be pursued through interviews with casino employees and a more detailed review of internal casino documents, the sources said. To do that, Harvey would have to make the final decision on whether to authorize a full-fledged probe.

"…State law prohibits casinos from granting 'complimentaries' -- the free meals, rooms and services casinos often lavish on gamblers -- to governors, their staff, legislators, department heads, judges and casino regulators, among others. If a casino violates the rule it could be reprimanded and even fined…"

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