By Staff
DOWAGIAC - A Las Vegas gaming company is preparing to cut a $5 million check to consultant Kevin Flynn for blocking the opening of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians' proposed casino.
Miller said the Pokagon Band has developed a list of top 10 ways in which Flynn can spend the $5 million. The group will release one suggestion on each day of the countdown.
Flynn, the former president and chief stockholder of the Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City, Ind., signed a five-year consulting agreement with Boyd Gaming Corporation, the current owner of the Blue Chip Casino in June of 1999. The agreement pays Flynn over $7.5 million including $500,000 annually to fight a Pokagon casino in New Buffalo and a $5 million bonus for successfully thwarting the casino through the life of the contract, which expires on Nov. 30, 2004.
Boyd Gaming's contract with Flynn also included paying Mr. Flynn's expenses, which appear to include public relations services for TOMAC (according to a story in Crain's Chicago Business) and fees paid to Warner Norcross and Judd, the Grand Rapids' law firm representing both Mr. Flynn and TOMAC (according to ducuments filed by Boyd Gaming with Michigan Attorney general's office). TOMAC has filed lawsuits in both state and federal court to block the Pokagon casino development. The federal case is currently waiting for a ruling from federal District Court Judge Roberson in Washington, D. C.
Despite Flynn's efforts, the tribe continues to pursue the development of its proposed casino. Plans include a hotel, restaurants, and more than 150,000 square feet of casino space. According to Michigan Consultants, more than four million people will frequent the casino, creating an additional 3,500 jobs. The project has the support of New Buffalo City and Township.