Gov. Kathy Hochul Denies Allegations of Aiding Mets Owner Steve Cohen in NYC Casino Bid

Gov. Kathy Hochul Denies Allegations of Aiding Mets Owner Steve Cohen in NYC Casino Bid

Edited by: TJVNews.com

Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday firmly denied accusations that she is attempting to assist Mets owner Steve Cohen in his bid for a highly sought-after New York City casino license. The controversy arose after sources informed The New York Post that Hochul was allegedly planning to introduce legislation that would benefit Cohen, one of her major campaign donors. However, during a press briefing, Hochul stated unequivocally that she has no plans to intervene in the casino bidding process, dismissing claims as manipulative and untruthful.

“There are people, shady people, who will try to manipulate the [casino bidding] process to their benefit and be willing to put out lies. I have had no intention of putting this in my executive budget,” Hochul told reporters when asked about her involvement in Cohen’s casino proposal. This statement came in direct response to The New York Post’s earlier report, which claimed that Hochul intended to introduce legislation in the 2025 state budget that would broaden the allowable uses of city parkland, thus enabling Cohen to pursue a casino project near Citi Field in Queens.

Kathy Hochul, who is as corrupt as she is stupid, may be trying to sneak a provision into the 2025 Budget which will help Cohen’s casino bid. It’s a move right out of her predecessor Cuomo’s playbook. We won’t let her do it.

cc: @jessicaramosqnshttps://t.co/N0jHEneudD

— NO CASINO IN FLUSHING (@GoodFundies) October 10, 2024

When The New York Post initially inquired earlier this week, a spokesperson for Hochul had declined to comment on whether the governor intended to include such a provision in the upcoming budget. The spokesperson’s only response was that “Gov. Hochul will unveil her State of the State agenda in January,” leaving questions about potential parkland legislation unanswered at the time. This ambiguous response fueled speculation that the governor might be considering legislative action to resolve Cohen’s land use issues.

News of Hochul’s possible intervention sparked immediate backlash from lawmakers, particularly regarding concerns about favoritism in the casino bidding process. Senator Joe Addabbo (D-Queens), who chairs the state Senate’s Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee, voiced strong opposition to any potential intervention by the governor. “It’s a bad precedent,” Addabbo told The New York Post when the news first broke. He added, “For the governor to get involved and favor one bidder over other bidders sets a dangerous precedent,” highlighting the potential for undue influence if the state were seen to be tipping the scales for Cohen’s $8 billion casino project in Queens.

Gov. Hochul plans to greenlight Steve Cohen’s Flushing casino with new legislation https://t.co/ejJGuVjoUN pic.twitter.com/vsw8EzkrJQ

— NextHome Residential (@NextHomeRes) October 10, 2024

In response to these concerns, a spokesperson for Cohen refuted the claims that Hochul was providing special assistance to the Mets owner. The spokesperson emphasized that the proposed legislation regarding permitted land use does not guarantee Cohen’s project will move forward, nor does it prejudice the casino approval process in any way. According to the report in The New York Post, the spokesperson explained, “Permitted use legislation doesn’t prejudge the gaming approval process in any way nor does it guarantee the project will move forward. It is just the necessary first step towards putting forward a strategic vision for transforming the 50 acres of asphalt at Citi Field.”

The proposed project, branded as “Metropolitan Park,” still faces numerous regulatory hurdles, including the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), input from a Community Advisory Committee, review by the Gaming Facility Location Board, and final approval from the New York State Gaming Commission. The New York Post reported that as such, Cohen’s spokesperson was quick to clarify that this process would be followed just like any other casino bid, and no preferential treatment would be granted by the governor’s office.

Adding to the controversy are Cohen and his wife Alexandra’s substantial donations to Hochul’s gubernatorial campaign in 2021, which amounted to a combined $136,700, according to state records. While some critics have pointed to these contributions as evidence of a potential conflict of interest, The New York Post reported indicated that there is no direct proof that Hochul’s alleged legislative intentions are tied to these donations.

According to The New York Post report, this shift in the governor’s stance has placed Cohen’s ambitious proposal in jeopardy, leaving him dependent on legislative action in a highly complex and politically fraught environment.

Cohen’s casino project, in partnership with Hard Rock, hinges on securing one of the three full-scale casino licenses expected to be issued by the New York State Gaming Commission in 2024. As The New York Post reported, Hochul had previously been rumored to be working on legislation that would expand the permissible uses of city parkland, a necessary step for Cohen’s project to move forward. The development would require an alienation law—essentially converting public parkland for non-park purposes—to allow for the construction of the casino complex on lots surrounding Citi Field.

However, Hochul’s apparent reluctance to introduce such legislation has left Cohen’s bid at an impasse. Without state approval to change the designation of the land, Cohen’s project cannot even be considered by the Gaming Commission. Further complicating matters, local opposition from State Senator Jessica Ramos, who represents the area and has been a vocal critic of the casino proposal, poses a formidable obstacle, according to the information provided in The New York Post report. As is customary in the New York State Legislature, deference is typically given to local representatives when controversial projects are proposed within their districts. The report emphasized that without Ramos’ support, it is highly unlikely that the Senate would move forward with an alienation bill, leaving Cohen’s bid stalled.

This dynamic is reminiscent of another high-profile project that failed due to local opposition. In 2019, Amazon was forced to abandon its plans to build a massive East Coast headquarters in Long Island City after significant pushback from Queens State Senator Michael Gianaris, the deputy majority leader, and other local leaders. The New York Post reported that the Amazon case serves as a cautionary tale for Cohen’s casino ambitions, underscoring the influence that local representatives wield over development projects in their constituencies.

And Just Like That… the Feds were looking into Hochul doing legislative flavors for her biggest donor. It’s a good day to be Eric Leroy https://t.co/BR8trxy0bK

— Eric Adams Crime Family (@TownTopics2024) October 10, 2024

Cohen, who has been a major donor to Democratic causes in New York, is no stranger to navigating the political landscape. From January 1, 2023, to July 11, 2024, he donated $235,000 to the New York State Democratic Committee, becoming its largest donor in an effort to help the party gain control of the House of Representatives, according to Gothamist. Despite his financial influence, however, Cohen’s casino proposal faces an uphill battle without the legislative backing required to reclassify the land.

The stakes are high for Cohen and his partners at Hard Rock, as the competition for the three available casino licenses is fierce. The New York City area has long been seen as a prime market for full-scale casino operations, and several prominent developers and entertainment giants are vying for a chance to win one of the coveted licenses, as per The New York Post report. While Cohen’s vision for a casino and entertainment complex near Citi Field could potentially transform the area, it also faces staunch opposition from community leaders who fear the social and economic impacts of such a development.

The New York Post report highlighted that Cohen’s casino bid is essentially “dead” without the alienation law. Even if the project were to receive state approval, it would still need to navigate through the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), engage with a Community Advisory Committee, and receive reviews from both the Gaming Facility Location Board and the New York State Gaming Commission. Each step in this process presents additional challenges, especially in a climate where public opinion is divided on the role of casinos in urban development.

For now, Cohen’s casino dream appears to be at a standstill, with the governor’s reluctance to intervene and the local community’s opposition leaving little room for movement. As Hochul prepares to unveil her State of the State agenda in January, all eyes will be on whether any new developments emerge that could offer Cohen a lifeline. However, as things stand, The New York Post reported that the project’s future remains uncertain, and without significant political momentum, Cohen’s casino bid may ultimately meet the same fate as Amazon’s ill-fated Long Island City headquarters.