Artist's rendering of the proposed West Valley Resort. Image from Tohono O'odham Nation
The city of Glendale, Arizona, spent millions of dollars to fight the Tohono O'odham Nation off-reservation casino and most of the contracts were approved with little to no oversight. From 2010 to 2013, the city spent $1.3 million on law firms, consulting firms and public relations firms without city council approval or public bidding, The Arizona Republic reported. The contracts centered on two controversial issues -- the proposed West Valley Resort and the Coyotes professional hockey team. The Rose Law Group received the bulk of that amount -- $601,230, the paper said. The firm worked on the casino and the Coyotes issue. The Scutari and Cieslak public relations firm received $167,000, according to the paper. The firm also worked on the casino and Coyotes. More than $150,000 went to Policy AZ to lobby state lawmakers to oppose the casino, the paper said. And $125,000 went to Integrated Web Strategy, a public affairs and ad agency, for some form of work on the casino. Overall, the city has reportedly spent more $3.5 million fighting the casino, according to the The Phoenix New Times. Council members, however, have voted to negotiate with the tribe after losing nearly every lawsuit in the state and federal courts. Get the Story:
Glendale's lax contract oversight lets millions slip past council (The Arizona Republic 4/8) Related Stories:
City opposes House bill that bars Tohono O'odham Nation casino (03/28)
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