ASSOCIATED PRESS: PHILADELPHIA – Several neighborhood civic groups sued state gambling regulators Monday over their approval of two Philadelphia casinos. The plaintiffs fear
the casinos will bring traffic congestion, pollution, increased crime and other problems to their neighborhoods. They said the public had no chance to comment on the proposals after the Nov. 15 application deadline. The groups also allege that former commission Chairman Tad Decker should have excluded himself earlier in the process because of his close ties to a law firm, Cozen O’Connor, that represents SugarHouse’s developer. Decker left the firm to serve as the gaming board chairman for three years and has since returned as its president and chief executive officer. Casino opponents tried in vain to hold a public referendum in the May primary on the issue and failed in challenging the licenses in state court. MORE
