Greenbrier spent nearly $1.2 million on gambling campaign

Friday, Dec. 8, 2000 | 9:08 a.m.

The measure failed by a 58-to-42 percent margin in the Nov. 7 general election.

On a per-vote basis, the hotel's campaign amounts to "the highest, most expensive election in the history of West Virginia," said Mike Queen, a political consultant hired to coordinate the opposition's campaign.

Divided by the 5,109 people who voted for the casino, the hotel spent $232 for each "Yes" vote received. The figure is over twice the per-vote amount spent by Jay Rockefeller in the 1980 governor's race, Queen said.

The largest expenditure was $725,000 to a Los Angeles-area advertising agency. The firm prepared and placed advertising on radio, television, newspapers and billboards, and produced a promotional video, according to the spending report.

A Washington, D.C., firm received $123,000 for a direct mail campaign.

The hotel also paid another Washington, D.C., firm $113,000 for public opinion research.

The balance of the spending went for advertising in local newspapers, printing yard signs, brochures, bumper stickers, other promotional material, direct mailings, a Web site, two staffers and renting office space and equipment.

All expenses were paid by The Greenbrier. No outside contributions were reported.

By contrast, West Virginia Families Against Casino Gambling, the main opposition group, reported spending $21,888.

The group reported $25,097 in contributions from individuals, a dozen churches and denominational associations.

Queen said his group plans to file complaints with state and federal election officials about cash payments from the hotel to focus group participants unless hotel President Ted Kleisner backs off on his intention to seek another election in two years. A second try is authorized in the 1999 casino law passed by the Legislature.

Hotel officials did not return telephone calls seeking comment.