Aqueduct: Flake Flogged

Flock flogs Rev. Flake for rolling dice on Aqueduct slots

Some perplexed parishioners of the politically connected Rev. Floyd Flake -- who's leading the Aqueduct Entertainment Group's effort to install some 4,500 video slot machines at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens -- are wondering if their spiritual leader has made a deal with the devil by bringing gambling into their community.

"I don't think the reverend should be involved in something like that," said Jeff Jones, 58. "It goes against God's rules. People go from gambling to committing crimes."

Flake was involved with the Aqueduct bidding process, which has been mired in allegations of political cronyism and part of a federal probe.

Some members of The Greater Allen AME Cathedral of New York, which Flake heads, are unhappy with his role in the consortium that won the controversial bidding process to revamp Aqueduct.

"There are a few people who feel uncomfortable with his investment [with AEG] and its mostly the older members," said church member Gary Fulmore, 55.

Despite some dissent, Fulmore said the congregation "still supports him."

Meanwhile, sources said yesterday that state investigators have contacted the losing bidders in the ongoing Aqueduct probe.

State Inspector General Joseph Fisch is looking at whether the selection of AEG -- which was awarded the 30-year franchise by Gov. Paterson in concert with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson -- was corrupt.

"We have been contacted by the Inspector General's Office. They made it clear they were calling about Aqueduct," said Eric Schippers, spokesman for rival bidder Penn National.