By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – Local casino opponents say they are preparing a legal fight against a casino in downtown Buffalo. But they say the timing of a filing a possible lawsuit is not in response to the Seneca's casino deadline.
Citizens Against Casino Gambling in Erie County will be gathering Tuesday night in Buffalo for their monthly meeting. Co-Chair Joel Rose says they are in the process of preparing to file a lawsuit against plans for a city casino. Rose says it could be filed in the next few days. He says the lawsuit is expected to address environmental issues, such as a lack of an environmental impact study on the land the Senecas purchased in the Cobblestone District.
"It will probably be in federal court," Rose said. "The lead attorney for the plaintiffs is Richard Lippes. He is noted in this area. There are other attorneys in this area working with him."
But Rose says the lawsuit may not even name the Senecas. Instead, he says the lawsuit could target those who sold or attempted to sell land to the Senecas.
"In the Cheektowaga case, the Seneca's were never named as the defendant. The town was named, the seller of the land was sued, but the Seneca's were never sued," Rose explained. "But that was in state court."
Rose says the lawsuit could potentially include the City of Buffalo and even the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority. The Senecas continue talks with the NFTA regarding the DL&W Terminal.
Rose says even if the Senecas conduct a ground breaking late this week, nothing is finalized.