Reports: Boxing promoter and anti-gambling group face lobbying probes

Wednesday, July 19, 2000 | 10 a.m.

King called several Democratic members of the state Assembly, urging them to oppose a bill before the state Legislature this year that would have required local and state legislative authorization before Indian tribes could open casinos on non-tribal lands, according to the New York Post.

King was not registered as a lobbyist at the time of the calls, and his actions could prompt an investigation by the state Lobbying Commission, the newspaper reported.

The Post, citing unidentified sources, said King, who has promoted sporting events at several Indian-owned casinos, has ties to Park Place Entertainment President Arthur Goldberg.

The casino gambling bill, which was withdrawn from consideration in the Democratic-led Assembly after passing the Republican-controlled state Senate, could have adversely affected an agreement between Park Place and the St. Regis Mohawks to build a casino in the Catskills.

Lobbying Commission executive director David Grandeau said Wednesday, "We don't comment on pending investigations."

Telephone calls for comment to King were not immediately returned.

Under state law, anyone whose tries to influence the Legislature, and whose efforts are worth $2,000 or more, must register with the Lobbying Commission within 10 days of their activities. Violations can lead to civil fines and criminal misdemeanor charges.

The Post had reported Monday that both Goldberg and billionaire Donald Trump were being investigated by the Lobbying Commission for similar violations. Trump, operator of casinos in Atlantic City, N.J., was trying to keep casinos out of New York while Goldberg is trying to become the major promoter of the planned Mohawk casino in the Catskills. They were on opposite sides of the legislation that ended up stalled in Albany, with Trump in favor of the measure and Goldberg opposed to it.

Meanwhile, the Institute for Law and Society has received notice from the state that it could be in violation of New York's Lobbying Act, the Plattsburgh Press-Republican reported.

The Rome-based group, which is opposed to the Mohawk's proposed Catskills casino, has been running statewide newspaper and television ads linking the tribe to violent crime and drug peddling.

Institute Director Tom Hunter told the newspaper that his group "does not lobby" and has "never contacted, or had any dialogue, with any officials in the legislative or executive branch of government."

But commission officials said lobbying in the state includes not only face-to-face or telephone contact with lawmakers but also actions designed to generate public response like letter-writing campaigns.

The published report said the institute may be linked to Trump, but Hunter refused to comment on that. He maintained that his group is conservative in philosophy and is not aligned with any political party.

Hunter told the Press-Republican that attorneys have been working to clear up matters with the Lobbying Commission.

The institute has requested a written opinion from the commission, which Grandeau said is being prepared right now and will be released next month.