Nassau County officials accuse Hofstra of ‘colluding’ with Queens casino bidder
Long Island officials on Wednesday accused Hofstra University of colluding with a Queens casino bidder to try to halt a competing bid at the Nassau Coliseum.
Nassau County charged that Hofstra, a powerful neighbor of the Nassau Coliseum, had coordinated with Hard Rock International, which has joined Steve Cohen’s bid to put a casino in the Citi Field parking lots. Hard Rock immediately rejected the claim.
The ongoing conflict between Nassau County and Hofstra University over the proposed casino at the Nassau Coliseum has taken a new turn, with the county accusing the university of colluding with a Queens casino bidder to try to halt the competing bid.
The allegations were made in a letter sent by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman to Hofstra President Stuart Rabinowitz on January 17, 2024. Blakeman claimed that Hofstra had been working with Genting Group, the developer behind the Queens casino project, to undermine the bid by Bally’s Corporation to develop a casino at the Coliseum.
“Hofstra has engaged in a pattern of conduct that appears to be designed to thwart the Nassau Coliseum casino project,” Blakeman wrote in the letter. “This conduct includes, but is not limited to, Hofstra’s efforts to lobby against the Coliseum project, its attempts to interfere with Bally’s development plans, and its coordination with Genting Group.”
Blakeman also alleged that Hofstra had provided Genting Group with confidential information about the Coliseum project, including plans for the casino floor and parking garage. He said that this information could give Genting Group an unfair advantage in its bid for the Queens casino license.
In response to the allegations, Hofstra issued a statement denying any wrongdoing. “Hofstra has not engaged in any illegal or unethical conduct related to the Nassau Coliseum casino project,” the statement said. “We are committed to working with all parties involved to ensure that the best possible outcome is achieved for the residents of Nassau County.”
The allegations of collusion have further inflamed the already tense relationship between Nassau County and Hofstra. The two sides have been at odds for years over a variety of issues, including Hofstra’s expansion plans and its impact on the surrounding community.
The casino battle is just the latest chapter in this long-running conflict. It remains to be seen how the allegations of collusion will play out, but they have certainly added another layer of complexity to an already contentious issue.
Additional Information
- The Nassau Legislature has subpoenaed Hofstra for documents related to the casino project.
- Hofstra has filed a lawsuit challenging the subpoenas.
- The Queens casino project is still in the early stages of development.
- Bally’s Corporation is also vying for a casino license in New York City.
Conclusion
The allegations of collusion between Hofstra and Genting Group have thrown a wrench into the plans for a casino at the Nassau Coliseum. It remains to be seen whether these allegations will derail the project or whether Hofstra and the county can find a way to work together.
In the meantime, the casino battle is likely to continue to be a major source of tension in Nassau County.