By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – The Missouri Gaming Commission has fired Attorney General Jay Nixon as its lawyer.
The action follows a dispute between the commission and Nixon over a casino in Caruthersville. The commission says the attorney general's office was involved in discussions about a state takeover of the casino and voiced no objections.
But Nixon later sent a letter criticizing the move to the media and the governor's office.
The commission says that violated attorney-client privilege and is referring the matter to the panel that investigates lawyers' misconduct. Nixon disputes the claim.
"The Missouri Gaming Commission needs to be able to count on legal counsel for advice and court appearances, not politically motivated actions," executive director Gene McNary said in a written statement.
Nixon responded that earlier discussions with the commission included going to court to keep the casino open and said that it should be handled the way similar instances are with nursing homes, when the state has gone to court to get a receiver appointed to manage the businesses.
"I am 100 percent sure that the staff of the Gaming Commission was specifically aware of our concerns of the Gaming Commission running a casino before they voted on November 3," he said.
The commission said it will use its own attorneys for future legal matters.
The commission voted unanimously a few weeks ago to temporarily take control of the Casino Aztar until a licensed buyer can be found. The casino is owned by Phoenix-based Aztar Corp., which is being sold to Columbia Sussex Corp. of Fort Mitchell, Ky. Columbia Sussex has been unable to get a Missouri license, but no other buyer could be found and licensed by the Nov. 19 deadline.
So the state's gaming enforcement manager, Clarence Greeno, is being appointed to run the casino for up to nine months. Greeno has not actually begun overseeing the casino, as the sale hasn't been finalized, McCarthy said.
McNary has defended the unusual move, saying it was necessary to save 300 jobs and $6 million in fees and taxes paid by Casino Aztar. Nixon blasted the move, saying it conflicted with the commission's regulatory duties.
"Nothing they can do in any press release is going to change my opinion about that being bad policy nor cause me to back up from my legal responsibilities and duties," Nixon said. "The public should be concerned when the Gaming Commission doesn't want anyone watching what they do."