Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Track officials indicted in slot machine scheme

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Top officials from Lincoln Park schemed to bribe a law firm headed by former House Speaker John Harwood in a bid to add more slot machines at the track, according to a federal indictment issued on Tuesday.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says the scheme was also designed to prevent approval of a casino proposed by the Narragansett Indians.

Daniel Bucci, Lincoln Park's chief executive officer, is among those named in the 22-count indictment.

Prosecutors say the scheme involved a proposed $4.5 million payment over six years to a Pawtucket law firm in which Harwood, still a Democratic state representative, is a partner. The scheme was allegedly concocted in 2000 and 2001, when Harwood was speaker.

Neither the law firm nor Harwood have been charged.

In March 2001, Bucci allegedly faxed coconspirators in the United Kingdom indicating that the law firm, McKinnon & Harwood, had rejected a multiyear payment arrangement but might accept a one-year deal.

The indictment makes no mention of the law firm accepting the intended bribe, which prosecutors say was to be disguised as legitimate payments for legal services.

Harwood in a statement said that while Daniel McKinnon represented Lincoln Park for about 10 years, "throughout that time, I have scrupulously avoided being involved in that representation in any way." He added that he has also avoided involvement in legislation affecting the track or the gaming industry.

"I have never been asked to use any political or legislative influence to benefit Lincoln Park," he said.

McKinnon issued a statement claiming the only payments he ever received from owners of the track were for "routine hourly billings for legal work performed."

A phone message left at Lincoln Park for Bucci was not immediately returned.

The park issued a statement that said "we believe these charges to be totally baseless and without merit whatsoever." The park said the payment being considered was a legal fee that was never authorized or paid.

The indictment claims the defendants wanted Harwood and other public officials to influence the state Lottery Commission to approve additional video lottery terminals at the park.

The nine-member commission, which includes six state lawmakers, in January unanimously approved nearly doubling the total number of video lottery terminals at Lincoln Park and Newport Grand Jai Alai. Lincoln Park won approval to add 1,300 new machines.

The indictment claims that Bucci, in a March 2001 fax to coconspirators, said Lincoln Park's political success was due to Harwood's law firm, and that "a payment of $1 million a year would send a clear message of gratitude."

Harwood was speaker for a decade before deciding not to seek re-election last year following a scandal over accusations he sexually harassed a former Statehouse worker, then helped her get a job at a state college. He was never charged in that case.

Bucci was intent on gaining approval for the new machines and defeating the Narragansett Indians' efforts to build a casino in the state, according to a series of faxes prosecutors say he sent superiors.

In a December 2000 fax to Nigel Potter, chief executive officer of Wembley, PLC, parent corporation of Lincoln Park, Bucci said the track might get additional machines without payments to the law firm, but that the Narragansetts would also get approval for a casino.

In an earlier fax to Potter, Bucci said rewarding Lincoln Park supporters could "silence the Indians," according to the indictment. Wembley is based in Great Britain.

For several years, the Narragansetts have unsuccessfully sought approval from the General Assembly for a referendum question asking voters to approve a proposed casino in West Warwick. Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas did not immediately return a call to his office seeking comment.

Potter is also charged in the indictment, along with the Burrillville Racing Association, the former name of the entity that owns the park.

Lincoln Park is regulated by the Lottery Commission and the Department of Business Regulation. Officials with both offices said they were still reviewing the indictment and could not comment on any possible action.

The state shares in the profits from the video lottery terminals. The park last fiscal year contributed $127 million to the state.

An arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 19 in U.S. District Court.

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