Cohen Seeks Guidance from Ex-NY Politician for Queens Casino Endeavor
Steve Cohen, owner of the New York Mets, is enlisting the help of Robert Mujica, a former New York State Budget Director, in his efforts to open a casino near Citi Field.
Mujica left his position at the state budget office last November to serve as the financial oversight board's head for Puerto Rico. Since then, he's earned $105K from New Green Willets, a lobbying group linked to Cohen, according to the Albany Times Union.
The newspaper claims Mujica is not a lobbyist but is simply offering guidance on the Queens casino endeavor.
Under New York law, former officials are prohibited from lobbying agencies they once worked for within two years of their exit and for life on issues they dealt with while employed. However, Mujica may be operating in a "gray area" regarding the Queens casino project.
A Lengthy History of Public Service
Although he wasn't elected, Mujica was appointed by former Governor Andrew Cuomo (D-NY) and later by his successor, Kathy Hochul, also a Democrat. Mujica held the top budget position in New York longer than anyone "since the Rockefeller Administration."
Due to the politicians who appointed him and the state's political makeup, it's likely Mujica is a Democrat. The competition for New York's three casino licenses is intense, with lobbying and campaign contributions from Cohen and his close associates to politicians like Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) being common practices.
According to New York's Ethics Commission filings, Cohen has spent $1 million in lobbying efforts related to proposing a casino in Queens since the beginning of 2023.
Challenges Ahead for Queens Casino
Though Cohen has the financial means to pursue a gaming license in New York City, the Queens casino effort has obstacles. In May, State Senator Jessica Ramos (D), who represents the districts closest to Citi Field, voiced her opposition to legislation altering the parkland designation required for any new construction on the land where the casino would stand.
New Green Willets is among about a dozen contenders vying for the three available downstate licenses. Recent conjecture asserts that MGM's Empire City in Yonkers and Resorts World New York in Queens are the front-runners for two of those licenses, with Las Vegas Sands and Wynn Resorts as likely recipients of the third.
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Source: www.casino.org
