Dems call for ‘unbiased review’ of Wynn Resorts donation to RGA
The Gaming Commission’s finding that a $2 million Wynn Resorts donation to the Republican Governors
THE LAW
Association did not violate state law has sparked calls from Democrats for an “unbiased review” into money they claim was illegally “funneled” to then-gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker.
Responding to a complaint about the donation from three of Baker’s Democratic challengers, commission lawyers said they found the 2014 donations did not run afoul of state campaign finance laws. Chief Enforcement Counsel Loretta M. Lillios said Wynn’s $2 million was made while the company was a Massachusetts casino licensee, but wasn’t made to any political organization governed by state laws.
State records show the RGA sent $10.75 million to the Commonwealth Future PAC, a group backing Baker’s gubernatorial campaign, including a $1.1 million donation on Sept. 17, 2014, the day Wynn’s license was approved. Gov. Deval Patrick was still in office at that time.
Lillios said the commission’s Investigations and Enforcement Bureau cleared the Wynn donation to the RGA around the time it was made, as did the Office of Campaign and Political Finance.
Massachusetts Democratic Party Chairman Gus Bickford called the commission’s finding “deliberately misleading and demonstrably false.”
State gaming law bars license applicants from donating “directly or indirectly” to candidates, individuals in office or political groups. Licensees are limited by campaign finance laws in how much they can donate to candidates, their committees and political groups covered by Massachusetts law.
“It is time for an independent investigation,” Bickford said. “It is clear that the commission is unwilling or unable to conduct a thorough and unbiased review of all the facts regarding Steve Wynn’s gaming license. They are obviously ducking their obligation to investigate an illegal contribution to the governor’s campaign.”
In the wake of sexual assault allegations against Wynn that led him to resign his fundraising post at the Republican National Committee and as chief executive of Wynn Resorts, Baker said politicians should return cash from the casino magnate. He noted that the RGA returned a $100,000 donation from Wynn.