Traficant finds casino proposal for Lordstown to be a tough sell

By David Skolnick

The ex-congressman has an option to buy property in Lordstown for a casino that isn’t permitted to open under current law.

NORTH JACKSON — Ex-U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. admits his proposal to bring an Indian gambling casino to a site in Lordstown has failed to attract even the slightest bit of interest from Mahoning Valley business leaders.

“It’s public knowledge what our pursuit is, and not one [local] business owner has called me,” Traficant said at a Friday press conference at Dino’s Italian Restaurant in North Jackson to discuss the casino proposal. “We’ve sent out enough feelers.”

Also, besides a call from Mahoning County Commissioner David Ludt offering assistance, if it’s needed, Traficant said he hasn’t been contacted by any other local politician about the proposal.

Traficant claimed he’s making progress on funding for the proposed casino that would cost about $100 million to open with the money coming from “equity bankers” but declined to say if he has any financial commitments.

“I’m hoping the private money from equity bankers will come through,” he said.

Traficant didn’t respond to a question asking if he thought the reason for the silence is the casino is not currently permitted under state and federal law.

To apply for a federal gaming license, an Indian tribe needs to be federally recognized as one by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs. There are no recognized Indian tribes in Ohio, according to the state attorney general and the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Traficant said Friday that getting a tribe recognized is the biggest challenge this proposal faces. The former congressman also said he expects political opposition to the proposal.

On Friday, Traficant announced that his family-owned company, Traficant Co. LLC, has an option to buy a 71.85-acre property in Lordstown on the corner of Lyntz and Salt Springs roads, near the Ohio Turnpike and Interstate 76.

The parcel is owned by Donald Allman, who’s owned it for about 15 years. He operates Allman Supply, a store that sells feed and farm supplies, hardware, and plumbing and electrical supplies.

Traficant refused to say how long the option is or if he paid any money to Allman for the option.

The property includes a 24,000-square-foot building that Traficant said would be used “in some capacity for the casino. It can be retrofitted for many uses.”

Traficant is working with the Itana (Indigenous Tribal Affiliates of Native America) Indian Nation on a plan to build a casino.

Traficant said Friday that his plan has attracted the interest of the Munsee Delaware Indian Nation, based in Cambridge, Ohio.

An e-mail Traficant released from William L. Little Soldier, Munsee Delaware’s tribal chief and chief executive officer, states the nation will “give full support for this project.” Attempts Friday by The Vindicator to reach Little Soldier were unsuccessful.

Traficant was released in September after serving seven years in federal prison for 10 felony convictions on racketeering, bribery, tax evasion and obstruction of justice.

Traficant is considering a political comeback and is specifically looking at the 6th and 17th Congressional districts.

Just as he did with many questions about the casino idea, Traficant refused Friday to comment on whether he’ll run for Congress.

skolnick@vindy.com