MINEOLA, NY — Nassau County's bid for a casino at the former Coliseum site will go forward, County Executive Bruce Blakeman said Wednesday.
He stated that he believes Hofstra University was the only entity to stand in opposition to the neighboring project at the Nassau Hub.
"I totally disagree with them," he said. "I think their premise is basically false."
A judge put the brakes on the deal while deciding on the land lease agreement. Additionally, Hofstra did more than oppose the pact, Blakeman said.
"Hofstra took the extraordinary measure and action to sue its host county," Blakeman said. "Unprecedented."
Since the county entered into the lease agreement with Las Vegas Sands last spring, "there has never been more overwhelming support for a project at the Hub until now," Blakeman said.
The county executive then showed an email at the Wednesday news conference, purported to be an exchange between a Hofstra representative and Hard Rock, a competitor for one of the state casino licenses.
'[They] were working in coordination, and some might even say, collusion," Blakeman claimed. "We find this very troubling."
Blakeman said for those who think he's acting out of retribution, "I didn't generate this email. The legislature didn't create this issue," he said. "Hofstra would be, in my view, very disingenuous, if they were giving reasons why they oppose casinos in general, but they're working with a casino applicant right across the border."
The Nassau County Legislature voted last year 17 to 1, in favor of the Las Vegas Sands creating a hotel/casino.
Presiding Nassau County Legislator Howard Kopel said they will investigate "why and how someone is trying to collude to thwart the will of the people of Nassau County."
Kopel said the legislature will "follow this evidence and see where it goes."
A spokesperson for Hofstra said they will "respond to the Nassau County Legislature’s subpoena in compliance with applicable law. Hofstra, as a member of this community since 1935, opposes the casino siting at the Nassau Hub for multiple reasons that have been made clear in our public statements and court filings. This subpoena is just another spurious attempt to distract and impede a fair and open process regarding this transfer of Nassau County land."
As part of the $5 billion proposal, Blakeman said, $100 million a year would go toward local government and surrounding communities. Plus, he pointed to a boost in revenue for area businesses and construction jobs.
"We know we have the best proposal," he said. "Our site will generate the most revenue for the state."
Blakeman said the county is appealing a judge's decision on the procedure for the agreement.
"Everything in the judge's order we can correct and we will correct," he said. "We're moving forward. If it's on the merits, we win. We're going to get one of those licenses."
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