Sends Cease-and-Desist Letter Calling for Stop to Misusing Taxpayer Funds
By Hank Russell
A day after Sands pulled its plans for a proposed casino and entertainment complex next to Nassau County Veterans Coliseum, one Nassau County legislator is telling county leadership that the days of overspending are over.
Seth I. Koslow (D-Merrick) held a press conference on April 24, holding up a cease and desist letter that he will send to County Executive Bruce Blakeman. Koslow demanded an immediate end to what he calls the administration’s ongoing misuse of taxpayer funds in pursuit of a now-defunct casino development deal with Las Vegas Sands Corp.
At a press conference at the Nassau County Legislative and Executive Building, Koslow blasted Blakeman for wasting over $5 million in public funds on legal fees and administrative costs tied to the project — a plan that collapsed after months of mounting opposition and failed promises.
On April 23, Sands Las Vegas — which was in the running for one of three casino licenses — said that, after investing nearly $5 billion, it has decided not to go through with the proposed project. Although the casino developer faced vocal opposition to the proposal, according to Long Island Business News, Sands decided not to pursue the casino license any further due to the proliferation of online gambling.
Long Island Life & Politics reached out to Sands Las Vegas, but did not hear back as of press time.
“How many times does Bruce Blakeman have to bet and lose before he realizes he isn’t playing with house money…it’s our money!” Koslow, who is running for county executive against Blakeman this year, said. “Nassau County taxpayers shouldn’t be ATMs for failed projects. We deserve better.”
The cease-and-desist letter, sent to Blakeman’s office this morning, outlines specific demands:
- an immediate halt to all county activity related to the casino
- a full public accounting of expenditures to date
- a commitment to a transparent, community-driven process for any future development at the Coliseum site
“Suffolk County is building a real economic future by investing in infrastructure and partnering with labor. Meanwhile, Nassau is stuck in a bad rerun of Casino — except there’s no De Niro, and the ending is even worse,” said Koslow, referring to the 1995 Martin Scorsese film. “It’s time for this administration to fold its hand and walk away.”
Koslow also referenced the recent collapse of another high-profile initiative — a $3 billion proposed NYU Langone hospital project at Nassau Community College — as further evidence that Blakeman lacks a coherent economic vision for the County.
LILP has reached out to Blakeman’s office, but did not hear back as of press time.
“Blakeman has a habit of chasing headlines instead of results. Whether it’s the failed casino or the vaporized hospital deal, his approach keeps leaving Nassau taxpayers holding the bag,” Koslow said. “Enough is enough. Cut your losses, stop the lawsuits, and start listening to the people.”