$267M Racketeering Lawsuit In Illinois
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, four Illinois casino companies have filed a $267 million racketeering lawsuit against former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich and a prominent racetrack owner
over a controversial law that requires casinos to funnel part of their revenues to struggling horse tracks.
A federal affidavit alleges Blagojevich attempted to pressure John Johnston, whose family owns and operates several tracks in the Chicago area, for a $100,000 contribution in return for the governor's signature on legislation to help the state's struggling horse racing industry. The legislation requires the state's four top-earning casinos to give 3% of their gross adjusted annual revenues to the horse-racing industry.
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(With files from The Wall Street Journal)
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