POSSIBLE SECRET TAPING BY FOXWOODS

Jan 15, 2007 12:01:17

By The Associated Press LEDYARD, Conn. -- State authorities are investigating reports that widespread, secret surveillance was conducted at the Foxwoods Resort Casino, according to a published report. An investigation into allegations of hidden cameras and illegal taping is continuing despite the resignations of the casino's top two gaming regulators, The Day reported, citing unidentified sources. Gaming Commission chairman Joseph Carlini and Samuel Grillo, its executive director, resigned in November after it was disclosed they had used information obtained through illegal phone wiretapping. State police are looking at a variety of allegations, including claims that Mr. Carlini presided over an elaborate system of secret surveillance, with hidden cameras installed in many areas of Foxwoods, including offices, employee lounges and casino hallways, The Day said in its Sunday paper. The newspaper also said state police are looking into whether tribal officials overstepped their authority in investigating criminal activity at Foxwoods, such as theft, gambling scams and drug sales. The gaming commission has authority under the tribe's compact with the state to regulate the casino games at Foxwoods -- to ensure there is no cheating or stealing. But state police assigned to the casino have criminal jurisdiction. According to letters that the gaming commission filed with state regulators, Mr. Carlini organized numerous investigations in recent years into crimes throughout Foxwoods, including contract kickbacks, game rigging, and the theft of cash and merchandise unrelated to the gaming, The Day said. Employees caught in investigations were often fired and banned from the property, but the crimes were not reported to police, the newspaper said. Bruce MacDonald, a spokesman for the Mashantucket Pequots, would not comment on the reports of hidden cameras installed at Foxwoods or investigations by the tribal gaming commission. "We can't comment on alleged information from unnamed sources, most likely disgruntled former employees," he said. Mr. Carlini, a former New Jersey gaming inspector, declined to be interviewed for The Day's story. Mr. Grillo, however, acknowledged that the gaming commission used video and audio taping for investigative purposes. But he said it was never done unless the commission had reason to suspect employee wrongdoing. The state police became involved after some gaming commission members complained that their private telephone conversations had been taped without their knowledge and played back to them by Mr. Grillo and Mr. Carlini. Both Mr. Carlini and Mr. Grillo resigned the same day it was disclosed, in state police affidavits, that the two had played the tapes for employees and criticized the employees for things they had said in the taped conversations.