A Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate blasted what turned out to have been a clandestine meeting between casino boss Steve Wynn and the state’s current Governor Charlie Baker during the latter’s recent visit to Nevada, local news outlet MassLive reported.
Gov. Baker, who many believe will run for a second term in next year’s election, traveled to Nevada in October to participate in a renewable energy panel discussion together with Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval and the top officials of the states of California and Hawaii. The Massachusetts Governor also paid his respects at the memorial to the victims of the of the October 1 mass shooting in Las Vegas.
However, it became known earlier this week that the moderate Republican Governor had a secret meeting with Mr. Wynn. Here it is important to note that the Las Vegas casino mogul is one of the major GOP donors. What is more, his casino company, Wynn Resorts, is currently building a $2-plus-billion integrated resort along the Mystic River bank in Everett.
It was in fact Mr. Wynn who spilled the beans about his meeting with Gov. Baker back in October. The businessman, who owns casinos in Las Vegas and Macau and is eying expansion across other jurisdictions, attended a Wednesday meeting with the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, during which he revealed more details about the Everett complex. The property is expected to be completed and launched in the summer of 2019.
The meeting between Gov. Baker and Mr. Wynn was questioned by Newton Mayor Setti Warren, who is, too, among the candidates running for Massachusetts’ next Governor.
Mr. Warren’s Issues with the Recent Meeting
Commenting on the meeting between the casino mogul and Massachusetts’ top official, Mayor Warren said that it raised serious questions that needed answers, particularly given the fact that Mr. Wynn was a well-known GOP donor. The gubernatorial candidate said that the reason for the meeting should be revealed to the public and suggested that Mr. Wynn and Gov. Baker may have discussed potential contributions made by the former into campaign accounts of the latter.
Mayor Warren further pointed out that the secret meeting may have involved discussions over the integrated resort currently under development in the Greater Boston area and the casino businessman may have even asked for a favor or two in relation to the project.
The Massachusetts Republican Party is yet to respond to requests for comments from local media. A person from Gov. Baker’s team explained that the meeting revolved around economic development issues in the Greater Boston area.
Mr. Warren will represent the Democratic Party in the upcoming election. He is one of three Democrats to have entered the race for Gov. Baker’s chair. And as mentioned above, the current Massachusetts Governor may vie for a second term.
