More Back Room Deals by Governor "Slot Barns" Patrick?

Remember the "Pedestrian Bridge" ? Too many back room deals by the Governor who promised transparency when running for office. Too many questions.

Ross leery of Foxboro casino push
BY JIM HAND SUN CHRONICLE STAFF

State senator thinks 'inside ballgame' being played by Kraft, Gov. Patrick
State Sen. Richard Ross said Tuesday that he has suspected for a long time that there was some kind of "inside ballgame" being played by the governor and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft to bring a casino to Foxboro near Gillette Stadium.

He said he believes his suspicions were confirmed when a proposal was floated by the town to rezone land along Route 1 to allow for a casino. Selectmen Tuesday night voted 5-0 not to recommend at town meeting the rezoning proposal to allow a casino.

The town's bylaws currently don't allow gambling.

Ross said he believes there is behind-the-scenes maneuvering to assure that Foxboro gets one of three casinos the Legislature may legalize when it takes up a gambling bill.

"I think there is an inside ballgame going on," he said. Alex Goldstein, a spokesman for the governor, said "the accusation is completely and utterly false."

The governor has consistently insisted that any bill legalizing casinos require applicants to bid for a license rather than have licenses earmarked in the legislation.

Jeff Cournoyer, a spokesman for Kraft, also denied the charge.

"That's a bold and curious accusation. It's also not true," he said.

"The people of Foxboro decide what development they want in their town, not the Kraft Group or the governor."

Ross, R-Wrentham, represents a district that includes Plainville, home of Plainridge Racecourse, which wants to win a slot machine license that would be authorized by the casino bill pending before the Legislature. Having gambling outlets in Plainville and neighboring Foxboro would not be economically viable, area state legislators said.

Ross, speaking by telephone from a hospital bed where he is recovering from second knee surgery, said his suspicions about Foxboro started more than a year ago when the governor wanted to use federal stimulus money to build a pedestrian bridge over Route 1 to the stadium.

The bridge was supposed to support a biotechnology park that was never built, and the overpass idea was withdrawn under pressure from the administration of President Barack Obama.

Kraft, who owns the Patriots along with Gillette Stadium and Patriots Place shopping complex on Route 1, has not commented on the rezoning idea. The National Football League also prohibits its owners from being involved in gambling.

But, Ross said he has also been struck by Kraft's appearance in the Statehouse chamber with the governor's wife during swearing in ceremonies and the state's plan to improve rail service to the stadium.

He said he also frequently runs into residents who tell him of rumors of a casino coming to Foxboro, giving him the impression that something is going on behind the scenes.

Other area legislators said they have no reason to believe there is anything going on between Kraft and the governor, although they have questions about a casino in Foxboro.

State Sen. James Timilty, D-Walpole, who represents Foxboro, said: "I don't have the same view" as Ross.

He said he has never seen evidence of a deal with the governor.

But, Timilty said he would like to know who, if anyone, is behind the proposal to rezone land in Foxboro for a casino.

Publicly, the proposal came from Town Manager Kevin Paicos, but Timilty said he would like to know if any gambling interests are behind it.

"The proposal came out from left field. I have never known of an interest before," he said.

State Rep. Jay Barrows, R-Mansfield, also said he has never suspected anything was going on between Kraft and the governor.

As for the Foxboro proposal, he said he does not understand how a casino would get around the NFL prohibition, unless Kraft would lease land to a casino. He said he also questions whether Foxboro residents want a casino after voting to reject gambling several years ago.

State Rep. Betty Poirier, R-North Attleboro, said she doubts a casino proposal for Foxboro would ever win a state license.

She said the Greater Boston area - including Foxboro - will be allotted one casino under the pending bill and she believes that license will go to Suffolk Downs in East Boston.