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New York Tribal Casino Deal's Ethics Disputed

ALBANY, New York – As reported by the Albany Times-Union: "A lawyer representing the Cayuga Indian Nation is getting hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal expenses paid for by the tribe's proposed casino developer and stands to make $60 million if the Catskills project is accomplished, according to documents filed in response to a lawsuit.

"The documents also state that the developer planned to put $35,000 a month in an account controlled by two tribal leaders who favor the project.

"…The Cayuga Indian Nation lawyer, Martin Gold, and his firm, Sonnenshein, Nath & Rosenthal of Manhattan, are receiving payments from Empire Resorts, operators of Monticello Raceway. The casino company promises to come up with a $60 million contingency fee for Gold once the tribe's land claim is settled and a casino is built for the Cayugas in the Catskills, according to the documents filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court.

"Gold and Robert Berman, head of Empire Resorts, confirmed the payments and said they are common and appropriate expenses…"

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