Mahoning Co. Dems drop suit against committee seeking to open casinos in Ohio

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning County Democratic Party dropped its lawsuit today against a committee seeking to open four casinos in the state.

But a temporary restraining order remains until July 3 that requires the Ohio Jobs and Growth Committee, the group backing the gambling initiative, and those obtaining signatures on petitions on its behalf to get the issue on the November ballot to not misrepresent “the contents, purpose or effect” of the proposal.

David Betras, party chairman and co-counsel for the plaintiffs on this case, said the party had the lawsuit dismissed because a common pleas court judge can do little on a case such as this.

The Ohio Constitution gives jurisdiction over these issues to the Ohio Supreme Court, Betras said. In hindsight, the party probably should have filed the case there, he said.

The issue was two people working on behalf of the committee lied on tape that the initiative saying it would bring a casino to Youngstown, the state would give money to create jobs and it wouldn’t amend the Ohio Constitution. Those statements are false and the two were fired.

“Our argument is there is no case, and there is no legal basis for this,” said Bob Tenenbaum, spokesman for the Ohio Jobs and Growth Committee. “The case is dropped. That speaks for itself.”

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