Slot machines at The Downs at Albuquerque, a non-Indian racetrack in New Mexico. Photo from Facebook
A top official in New Mexico is denying allegations that he opposed a non-Indian casino contract at the behest of Laguna Pueblo. Auditor Tim Keller (D) was a state lawmaker when he criticized Gov. Susana Martinez (R) for her handling of a 25-year contract to operate a commercial casino at The Downs at Albuquerque, a non-Indian racetrack. Laguna Development Corporation, the tribe's economic arm, bid for the project but was passed over in what was considered a questionable review process. Now, Republicans in the state are striking back at Keller, who won the auditor's post last November. They are accusing him of a conflict of interest because he was working for Blue Stone Strategies -- a lobbying and consulting firm whose mission supports "protecting tribal sovereignty" and "building strong economies -- at the time he was a lawmaker. According to documents provided a former employee of the firm, Laguna Pueblo and Laguna Utility Authority were clients of Blue Stone. But Keller said the Laguna Development Corporation, which operates separately from the tribal government, was not. “It’s a fair question. I don’t mind people asking it, because it’s also easy to answer,” Keller told NMPolitics.net when asked whether he worked for the tribe. He noted that the opposed the Downs deal even before Laguna Development Corporation's involvement and when a Democrat was in the governor's office. The Downs offers 700 slot machines, devices that were once exclusive to tribes under their Class III gaming compacts. Tribes have continued to share revenues with the state despite losing their exclusivity. The Downs and four other racetracks with slot machines sent $65 million in revenues to the state in fiscal year 2014, according to the New Mexico Gaming Control Board. Their net win was more than $251 million. Get the Story:
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