Vegas Firm Funds Maine Casino Supporters

MAINE – As reported by the (Lewiston, Maine) Sun Journal: "The Think About It campaign cannot correctly call itself a grass-roots campaign, at least when it comes to money.

"Except for a few donations from Indian lawyer Tom Tureen, the Las Vegas firm of Marnell Corrao is single-handedly paying for the pro-casino campaign.

"Marnell Corrao Associates is an architectural and construction firm, considered among the best in the resort casino industry. It designed and built some of the most lavish casino projects, including the $1.8 billion Bellagio in Las Vegas, which opened in 1998 and was featured in the movie `Oceans 11' starring George Clooney.

"…Marnell Corrao is now branching outside Las Vegas and moving into Indian country, building casino for tribes. The firm is working with the Passamaquoddy Tribe and the Penobscot Nation in Maine, and other tribes in California.

"…Erin Lehane of the pro-casino Think About It campaign in Maine said the Maine tribes searched to find the best in the business to build their casino.

"…Penobscot Tribal Chief Barry Dana has said Marnell Corrao would get less than 40 percent of the profits for backing and building the casino…"