Casino backers want local judge to dismiss restraining order

YOUNGSTOWN — Casino backers want a judge to dissolve a temporary restraining order and to dismiss a lawsuit against the casino promoters, but the lawyer who filed the suit said the case should proceed.

“The only way to answer the questions that have been raised is for the lawsuit to go forward so we can depose other petition circulators and the people who are directing this effort,” said Atty. David Betras, chairman of the Mahoning County Democratic Party, which filed the lawsuit last week.

Betras was referring to the deposition process, in which sworn testimony in a legal proceeding is taken from witnesses outside of court, but with the court’s authority.

The local Democratic Party sued the Ohio Jobs and Growth Committee, which is circulating petitions to get the casino proposal on the November ballot, and the party sought a temporary restraining order to stop the petitions from being circulated.

Casinos are proposed for the state’s four largest cities — Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo.

For the complete story, see Thurday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com