CROSBY FOLDS HAND
Gaming panel boss quits amid claims of Wynn bias
Gaming Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby abruptly resigned late yesterday — effective immediately — amid accusations of bias in favor of Wynn Resorts, as the panel faces a momentous decision on whether to strip the scandal-tainted company of its exclusive Boston-area casino license.
“With a profound sense of sadness, regret — and yes, frustration — I am resigning as Chair of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, in order to give you the best possible opportunity to do your work without distraction,” Crosby said in a letter to staff and other commissioners. “And I leave the leadership of this organization in the very capable hands of your four Commissioners.”
In the letter, Crosby said he is unable to continue with ongoing doubts about his partiality from all sides.
Yesterday, the Herald reported lawyers for Mohegan Sun asked Crosby to recuse himself from the Wynn investigation because he has appeared to have reached a conclusion in favor of Wynn Resorts before the investigation was completed.
Just a week earlier, an attorney for Steve Wynn sent a similar letter, accusing Crosby of bias against his client prior to the investigation’s end.
“Based on our experience, I have reason to expect that the Commission’s objectivity — even if I recuse myself from the current proceedings — will be challenged,” Crosby said in a statement. “I simply cannot let my involvement in these critical deliberations be used by others to hamper the Commission’s ability to do its work, or to undermine the confidence of the public in that work.”
Today, the commission is set to begin discussions about how it will handle the eventual presentation of the Commission’s investigation into Steve Wynn and Wynn Resorts.
Crosby, whose seven-year term was due to expire early next year, rejected the accusations of bias, but said they would make it impossible for the process to proceed as necessary.
“There has never been a shred of truth or accuracy to any charge of bias, favoritism, corrupt practice, ethics violations, or prejudgment in my execution of this job,” Crosby said.
When the commission was considering which casino operator would be awarded the original license, Crosby recused himself from deliberations after he attended an event at Suffolk Downs — one of the competitors — raising questions about his impartiality.
Information had also emerged about a business relationship between Crosby and a landowner who would profit from a Wynn casino, and alleged improper contact between Crosby and Wynn officials was reported.
Both Mohegan Sun and Sterling Suffolk Racecourse have filed lawsuits alleging Crosby favored Wynn Resorts during the application process.
“It sounds to me like he’s been getting a lot of pressure from a lot of sides from a long time,” said Clyde Barrow, a gaming industry expert. “He may just be tired of it.”
Crosby was appointed as chairman of the five-member commission in December 2011. Under him, the commission issued licenses to Plainridge Park, a slots parlor in Plainville, MGM Springfield and Wynn Resorts.
Under state law, Gov. Charlie Baker will appoint a new chairman of the commission.
“Gov. Baker thanks Chairman Crosby for his service and respects his decision to step aside as the Commission moves forward with the important task of reviewing the Wynn company’s suitability,” said Lizzy Guyton, a Baker spokeswoman.
Earlier yesterday, a Baker spokeswoman said in a statement that Crosby should consider recusing himself from the Wynn deliberations.