$267M Racketeering Lawsuit In Illinois

Published: June 15, 2009 12:49 pm EDT

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.

Click here to read the article in its entirety.

(With files from The Wall Street Journal)

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