Mohegan executive could be Cosby trial witness

A top Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment executive said Monday he had “no understanding” of reports that Bill Cosby’s attorneys want him to testify at the comedian’s upcoming retrial on sexual assault charges.

“I have no understanding of that. I have not heard anything,” said Tom Cantone, MGE’s senior vice president of sports and entertainment. He declined further comment.

The New York Post reported Saturday that Cosby had paid his accuser in the case, Andrea Constand, $3.5 million in “hush money” in 2006. The “Page Six” report said: “Cosby’s lawyers seek to put Foxwoods Casino Resorts manager Thomas Cantone … on the stand. … Cosby says Cantone can attest to Constand voluntarily going to Cosby’s hotel room late at night and once brought him gifts, lit a fire and cozied up in a bed with him. Constand testified that she sat on Cosby’s bed because there wasn’t anywhere else to sit.”

Before joining Mohegan Sun in 2007, Cantone directed entertainment operations at Foxwoods Resort Casino for nine years, booking entertainment acts at the Fox Theatre and other Foxwoods venues. Cosby performed at the Fox Theatre on Dec. 4, 2004.

Cosby’s first trial on charges of sexually assaulting Constand ended in a mistrial last June, with jurors unable to reach a verdict. Constand testified that Cosby had drugged her before sexually assaulting her during a visit to his home in early 2004. According to published accounts of the trial, Cosby’s attorney questioned Constand about her visit to Cosby’s hotel room at Foxwoods.

Cantone authored a book published in 2014 titled “Book ’Em — From the Man Who Revolutionized Casino Entertainment.” A testimonial from Cosby appeared on the book’s jacket.