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Wisconsin Casino Negotiator was Former Lobbyist

MADISON, Wisconsin – As reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: "A state official who helped negotiate a casino agreement with the Oneida tribe previously worked for that tribe as a lobbyist.

"Sean Dilweg, the chief aide to Administration Secretary Stephen Bablitch, said he did not believe his ties to the tribe constituted a conflict of interest. Dilweg lobbied for the tribe - along with two dozen other clients - in 2000 and 2001. In January 2003, he took the state job and immediately started working on negotiations with the Oneida and other tribes.

"Dilweg noted that the deals he helped broker with the Oneida and the other tribes quadrupled the amount of money the tribes were to pay the state in 2004 for the right to operate casinos, bringing it to more than $100 million.

"Dilweg lobbied for the Oneida over the tribe's payments to the state for tobacco sales and had nothing to do with their casino operations…"

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