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A Closer Look At Paterson's Allegedly Corrupt "Racino" Deal
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Mar 31, 2010
Modified Mar 31, 2010
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By
Jaya Saxena
Published Mar 31, 2010
Modified Mar 31, 2010
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Though Gov. Paterson is already looking for a new company to run video slot machines at the Aqueduct Racetrack, the controversy over the Aqueduct Entertainment Group isn't over yet. According to a confidential document released yesterday, AEG ranked a distant fourth among the six bidding groups at the time, yet was initially chosen by Paterson, quite possibly because of political connections.
City Room reports that AEG (listed as "Mays Navegante" in the document) was rated with four potentially "negative" grades, including one in legal and licensing matters. The Hard Rock Cafe group's rating was nearly all positive. Paterson spokeswoman Morgan Hook issued a statement saying the lottery assessment was not used in the final decision, and was released only "in the interest of full and honest disclosure." Paterson has been accused of choosing AEG to win over former congressman and AEG shareholder Rev. Floyd Flake. Investigators were also looking into ties between AEG and a Queens nonprofit that allegedly kept money raised for Hurricane Katrina victims.
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