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Rhode Island Pro-Casino Filing Criticized

WEST WARWICK, Rhode Island – As reported by the Providence Journal: "The law firm that the town hired to negotiate a host-community agreement with Harrah's Entertainment filed a brief with the Rhode Island Supreme Court late last month in support of legislation that would set a statewide referendum on the casino venture.

"While a majority on the council supports the casino, the council members and Town Manager Wolfgang Bauer say they did not authorize the firm to submit the so-called friend-of-the-court brief. That rankled Leo J. Costantino Jr., the council's lone Republican and a casino opponent.

"'They were hired to negotiate a casino contract,' Costantino said yesterday of Lynch & Friel. 'What this has to do with a contract I have no idea.'

"…Lynch & Friel billed the town on Tuesday for its June 27 filing of the 18-page brief, part of a $15,000 invoice for work performed since May 23. Town Manager Wolfgang Bauer said the town will pay the firm out of a $25,000 payment from Harrah's, the Las Vegas company that hopes to build the casino…"

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