Statement: Paladino Wrong about Turning Stone Status 5/25/10
Statement from Mark Emery, director of media relations, Oneida Nation/Oneida Nation Enterprises
May 25, 2010 In an interview on YNN that aired on May 25, candidate for the Republican gubernatorial nomination Carl Paladino repeated the myth that Turning Stone Resort and Casino was operating illegally and that the NYS Court of Appeals upheld that. His response about gaming at Turning Stone was wrong and it is unfair to the nearly 4,000 employees at the resort– and countless local vendors -- who earn their livelihoods thanks to Turning Stone. A candidate for statewide office should be more responsible and stick to the facts. The NYS Racing & Wagering Board and NYS Police have offices inside Turning Stone. Both agencies serve an integral role in licensing employees to work in the casino and oversee gaming activities here. The State Police and Racing & Wagering Board would not do so if gaming were illegal here. Furthermore, every year the New York State Legislature appropriates in the annual budget money specifically dedicated to support gaming at Turning Stone. These allocations, which are fully reimbursed by the Oneida Nation, specifically support the New York State Police Gaming Detail and the New York State Racing & Wagering Board Office located at Turning Stone. The federal government has exclusive jurisdiction to determine the legality of tribal gaming. The Secretary of Interior approved the Oneida Compact in 1993. The Department of Interior reaffirmed in 2007 that the Compact remains in effect. The federal courts have ruled that the Oneida Compact cannot be challenged. Challenges to the Compact have been dead for a long time now. Paladino owes an apology to the Nation and everyone he misled with this irresponsible rhetoric. Most PopularInformation, photos, video or graphics from www.OneidaIndianNation.com may not be republished, uploaded, posted or distributed in any way without the prior approval of Oneida Indian Nation Communications. Permission is for one time use only. Any use of this material must be credited to: Oneida Indian Nation.
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