Records: Casino company donated to NY pols

ALBANY -- Genting Berhad, the Malaysia-based casino company that wants to build a massive convention center and expand video-slot machine operations at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, spent $735,000 on lobbying and campaign contributions to New York politicians in the months before its plans became public, state records show.

In the past six months, Genting, through its local subsidiary, Genting New York Llc, doled out $99,900 in campaign contributions -- it had never donated to New York lawmakers before -- according to the state Board of Elections website. The largest single donation, $20,000, went to the Senate Republican Campaign Committee, controlled by Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre).

During that period, the company has spent $635,000 retaining a string of high-powered Capitol lobbyists -- including Patricia Lynch, a former top aide to Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, and Nicholas Spano, a former longtime Republican senator -- to make its case in Albany. All told, Genting spent just shy of $1 million on lobbying in 2011.

Genting's spending disclosure comes at a key political moment. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo disclosed that in early January he had signed a "nonbinding" letter of intent with Genting to build "the world's largest convention center" at Aqueduct. The company also wants to dramatically expand its current racino operations -- video slot machines -- at the Queens venue.

In addition, Cuomo and some state legislators favor voting this year on a constitutional amendment to remove the state's ban on non-Indian-run casinos. Such an amendment would have to be approved twice by the legislature and once in a statewide referendum.

Genting's spending "had no influence on the governor backing the convention center," said Cuomo spokesman Josh Vlasto.

Cuomo has touted the convention center proposal as risk-free to the state. He said Genting -- not the state -- would foot the bill of the 3.8-million-square-foot facility. And if the convention center fails to attract business, then it's Genting's loss.

Cuomo said New York City's current facility, the Javits Convention Center, is too small to compete with other venues around the nation.

The company would need the approval of the State Legislature and Cuomo to expand its video slots operation at the new convention center.

A spokesman for Genting didn't directly address the campaign contributions and lobbying spending.

"We have a proactive agenda that includes building a $4 billion convention center and legalizing table gaming in New York, both of which will create tens of thousands of jobs and generate billions of dollars in economic revenue," said Stefan Friedman, of SKD Knickerbocker, one of six firms working for Genting in New York. "We think those issues are important, and we know nothing comes without a lot of hard work."

Genting spent money on an array of lobbyists in the past six months, paying $180,000 to a firm headed by John Cordo, a former Senate Republican staff member; $175,000 to Lynch's company, and $120,000 to Spano's, among others.

The company gave $20,000 to Senate Republicans, who have voiced support for expanding casinos in the state. A Skelos spokesman said the contribution had no influence on their stance.

"Senate Republicans are proud to have the support of a broad and diverse group of people," Skelos spokesman Scott Reif said. "At the end of the day, any proposal rises or falls on the merits."

Genting donated $10,000 each to an Assembly Republican campaign committee, a Senate Democrats committee and Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

Among legislators, Sen. John Bonacic (R-Mount Hope), chairman of the Senate Racing and Wagering Committee, received the largest Genting donation, $8,750. The company gave $5,000 to Sen. Joe Addabbo (D-Ozone Park) and $2,000 to Assemb. Mike Miller (D-Glendale), who represent the part of Queens that includes the racetrack.