Connecticut casino owners battle over billboard

Wednesday, May 31, 2000 | 9:38 a.m.

For three years, a billboard placed at that strategic fork in the highway had urged them to bear left. But now, an advertisement for Foxwoods appears on the sign, and that has prompted the Mohegan tribe to file a lawsuit.

The Tribal Gaming Authority is suing PNE Media of East Hartford alleging violation of Connecticut's Unfair Trade Practices Act, breach of contract, and breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing over the much-in-demand billboard.

Attorney Andrew L. Houlding of Bridgeport, who is bringing the action for the Mohegan Sun, said the casino had an option to renew the contract for the billboard site, and tried to do so but was denied by PNE, which instead leased the site to the Mashantucket Pequot tribe, owners of Foxwoods, in March.

"We believe Mohegan Sun did everything, and more, to renew the billboard contract, but for reasons that have yet to be determined, PNE failed to honor its obligations," said Houlding.

According to the lawsuit, the Mohegan Sun casino first began leasing the billboard for $4,500 a month in April 1997 advertising the location of their casino.

The two sides were set to sign a renewal deal for that billboard and others worth $534,698, the lawsuit said. But later, PNE said it would be doing business with Foxwoods, not Mohegan Sun, according to the lawsuit.

Andrew B. Nevas of Westport, the billboard company's attorney, said today the lawsuit was without merit.

"Mohegan Sun had a contract which expired on March 31," Nevas said. "There was never any extension of that contract. It expired by its own terms, and once it expired PNE was free to rent the space to anyone they chose."

Foxwoods officials declined to comment.