Group cuts ties with lobbyists

Wednesday, April 23, 2003 | 9:50 a.m.

TRENTON, N.J. -- The Casino Association of New Jersey has severed its relationship with two lobbying firms that employ recently retired state officials, citing concerns about whether that violates a state law.

Carl Golden, an association spokesman, said Tuesday that it had ended its ties with Princeton Public Affairs Group and Capital Public Affairs, firms it hired in February. Former Assembly Speaker Jack Collins now works for Princeton Public Affairs, while Charles "Chip" Dutcher, former assistant commissioner in the Banking and Insurance Department, is employed by Capital Public Affairs.

New Jersey law prohibits officials from going to work for Atlantic City's casinos or their lobbyists for two years after leaving state government, and Golden said neither Collins nor Dutcher were directly involved in casino association lobbying.

"Even though the law is vague and ambiguous, the feeling was to avoid even the slightest appearance or hint of something that anyone would allege is improper," Golden told The Star-Ledger of Newark for today's editions. The group is set up and financed by Atlantic City's casinos, and lobbies on the gambling industry's behalf in Trenton.