Gaming board enforcement arm: Foxwoods responsible for its own problems

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s Bureau of Investigations and Enforcement agrees with Philadelphia Entertainment Development Partners – the group that hopes to build Foxwoods Casino in South Philadelphia – on one thing. The Office of Enforcement’s Counsel has joined with Foxwoods in asking that the PGCB hold a hearing on whether or not to revoke Foxwoods’ license. After that, however, the positions diverge considerably.

In a document filed Monday in response to Foxwoods’ June 1 request for a hearing and other matters, Deputy Enforcement Counsel Dale Miller wrote that the board should allow the complaint OEC filed seeking revocation of the license to continue, and “conduct an oral hearing on the matter, and revoke the slot machine license…”

In the documents filed earlier this month, PEDP attorneys argued that Foxwoods has worked hard to be in compliance with board orders, and would be now were it not for a series of mitigating circumstances, including the withdrawal of casino mogul Steve Wynn from the project. Wynn was set to be part of Foxwoods. He met with city officials, and submitted drawings to the board. Foxwoods submitted a financial plan that leaned heavily on Wynn.  But then Wynn withdrew, taking the drawings and money with him.

Miller, who wrote on behalf of his boss, Chief Enforcement Counsel Cyrus Pitre, said that PEDP’s reasons are “part of a continuing effort by the respondent to blame others for their inability to maintain suitability” to hold a slots license.

Contact the reporter at kelliespatrick@gmail.com

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