Verona (WSYR-TV) - According to the Turning Stone Casino owner the Oneida Nation, New York gubernatorial hopeful Carl Paladino can threaten to shut down their facility all he wants. But he won't be able to because he can't.
The nation said that the Buffalo native is wrong legally, economically, and factually and that Paladino "has shown he is unfit to be the governor."
On Wednesday, the tea party supported Paladino said that, if he were elected governor, he would close down Turning Stone Casino if the Oneidas refused to provide more revenue to New York State.
On Thursday, the Oneidas countered, saying that their gambling operation is not the province of New York State, but of the US federal government.
In a written statement, the Oneidas noted that "the federal government has exclusive jurisdiction to determine the legality of tribal gaming."
The secretary of the interior approved the Oneida Compact in 1993 and then the department reaffirmed the agreement in 2007. Federal courts have ruled that the Oneida Compact can't be challenged, the nation said.
Paladino threatens to close casino
Oct. 14
ALBANY, N.Y (AP) - Republican Carl Paladino said Wednesday that if he becomes governor he would close down the Turning Stone casino in Central New York if the Oneida tribe doesn't provide more revenue to the state.
The Republican-Conservative nominee said he would give the tribe two weeks to start negotiations. If they don't work out a better revenue deal for the state, he said he would shut down access roads to the casino.
The Oneida Nation responded that the federal government has jurisdiction and reaffirmed the compact in 2007. Any attempt to block access would be met with a lawsuit based on federal law, according to the Oneidas' statement.
The casino opened in 1993 under then-Gov. Mario Cuomo. His son, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, is Paladino's Democratic rival in the governor's race.
The tribe said 10,000 jobs depend on the casino and resort, which bring in $425 million a year in direct and indirect spending to Central New York. The tribe said in its statement that Paladino's threat shows he's unfit for office.
The casino draws thousands of players to the resort each year as one of the biggest industries in the long distressed region. Nearby businesses off the reservation have complained for years of unfair competition because many tribal gas stations and other stores do not have to pay taxes.
Andrew Cuomo had no immediate comment.
