Hearing on racing license recesses

Francis X. Quinn

Monday, Dec. 22, 2003 | 9:16 a.m.

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Shawn Scott, the gambling developer who wants to start up a racetrack casino in Bangor, began recounting highlights of his business career Friday before the Maine Harness Racing Commission recessed its extended hearing until Jan. 8.

The commission is considering Scott's application for a racing license, which could allow him to operate slot machines at Bangor Raceway unless state regulations are changed.

By law, the commission must consider Scott's moral character and financial responsibility.

Lawmakers are expected to take up a proposed overhaul of Maine's system for regulating gaming after the full Legislature reconvenes in the New Year.

On Friday, Scott cast himself as an energetic entrepreneur who entered the real estate business while still in school in his native California before moving to Nevada where he combined residential home building and sales with the development of gambling facilities.

Noting that his involvement in gambling projects "seems to get much more attention," Scott outlined his subsequent move into Louisiana, where he bought and built truck stops before purchasing a race track.

Scott was answering questions from his lawyer when Friday's hearing came to a close. His testimony will resume next month.

Scott, whose Las Vegas-based Capital Seven LLC ran races under a conditional license in 2003, bankrolled a November referendum campaign that helped persuade Maine voters to authorize slot machines at commercial harness racing tracks, provided local voters also give their consent.

Bangor voters have approved slots, but voters in Scarborough, where Maine's other commercial track is located, turned down a similar referendum proposal.

Scarborough Downs has been wooing other communities in hopes of winning a local approval.

The harness racing commission, whose members are appointed by the governor, has spent more than $450,000 investigating Scott and his business activities and associates.

Questions have been raised about the extent of his cooperation with investigations in other states.

Before Scott began testifying on the fourth day of the commission's hearing, business associates described their experiences working with him on projects in Louisiana and New York.

Lawyer Richard Moreno of Lake Charles, La., characterized Scott as "financially responsible, perhaps to a fault," and as "a tough businessman" who dealt with others "fairly and honestly."