Sharpton: “A surprise to me”
Alabama gaming company Greenetrack has joined the growing pack of operators and developers who want to nab one of New York State’s first Class III casino licenses. A lobbying firm with ties to Al Sharpton has joined the partnership, according to the New York Post.
Greenetrack is run by Luther “Nat” Winn Jr., who serves on the board of directors of Sharpton’s National Action Network. Its lobbying firm, the Movement Group, is run by Sharpton pal Charlie King, a former national director of NAN and one-time executive director of the state Democratic Party.
Greenetrack’s new website, gamingfornewyork.com, emphasizes Winn’s ties to the Catskills region, where two of the first four licenses are expected to be awarded.
“Many young black men and women had to travel up north for summer employment,” according to the site. “At the age of 16, Mr. Winn started working in the Catskill Mountains as a dish washer and a glass washer at the Flagler Hotel and the Raleigh Hotel in South Fallsburg. Mr. Winn’s time in the Catskills was some of the most memorable of his life.”
The site also drops Sharpton’s name, albeit indirectly, citing Wynn’s role as board member of the National Action Network. As the website proclaims, the casino operator “continues to support the fight for justice and equality for all.”
Sharpton told the Post he is unaware of Winn’s plans. In fact, he said it repeatedly. “It’s the first I’ve heard of it. I don’t know anything about that. I have no idea what it is. They haven’t talked to me about it. This is a surprise to me.”
The company is talking up its minority ownership, and has said its intent is “to mirror our success by selecting a location which will maximize revenues to the state while providing well-paying local jobs and tourism revenue to the local economy.”
The legality of Greenetrack’s Eutaw, Alabama, has faced challenges from the Alabama attorney general, who seized 376 electronic bingo machines in 2011 after then-Governor Bob Riley claimed they were actually slot machines. Greenetrack maintained that the operation was legal because Greene County voters approved electronic bingo in 2003.
