Ever wonder why no one was ever prosecuted and convicted in the Aqueduct Entertainment Group casino bid-rigging scam? (592 Views)
Posted by:
Ollie (IP Logged)
Date: July 25, 2014 10:46PM
Seems to be a repetitive issue with Andrew Cuomo in New York his approach in dealing with corruption --- As in, 'I was for it before, I became against it' mentality.
http://www.ig.state.ny.us/pdfs/Investigation%20Regarding%20the%Selection%20of%20AEG%20to%20Operate%20a%20VLT%20at%20Aqueduct%20Racetrack.pdf
The State Inspector General appointed by Cuomo conducted a very thorough investigation into "the event." He also issued a very scathing report on what had occurred, who was likely responsible and implicated, and recommended that those parties involved be indicted, and prosecuted, to the fullest extent of the law. The only problem? The were of the same political party/persuasion as Cuomo.
The report is good bathroom reading material, but if you want to cut to the "meat and potatoes" of the report go to page 294 --- XVII. Findings and Recommendations
What was done after this report came out? Pretty much nothing, only Malcolm Smith was caught, aside from the above issue, trying to bribe his way into getting a nomination for New York City mayor.
Fast forward a couple of years. Cuomo establishes a commission to investigate political corruption in New York State, and to begin to purge it, because "it has no place here," and shouldn't be tolerated.
Things corruption commission-related seemed be moving along properly, until Cuomo gave humongous tax breaks to high-end real estate developers in Manhattan, who also just happened to make large contributions to Cuomo's re-election campaign. Guess what happened then, aside from the media noticing the huge conflict of interest? Well, the Corruption Commission essentially stopped functioning. I mean, come on, how do you investigate someone for corruption, who has appointed you to sit on the commission?
I was wondering when the New York Times would get around to this, which they finally did this week: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/23/nyregion/governor-andrew-cuomo-and-the-short-life-of-the-moreland-commission.html?_r=0
I realize this is not entirely horseracing/racetrack-related, but NYRA is still controlled by the state, and Cuomo has his appointees directing and administering it. I am concerned, and believe Chris Kay was a poor, and ridiculous selection. We shall see how things progress from here, and finally end up for NYRA.
What do you think about these matters?