The ongoing standoff over the Richmond City casino project intensifies, as adversaries seeking to terminate the One Casino + Resort project are taking a second shot at challenging it. Spearheading the argument against the project is Paul Goldman, a recognised lawyer and political advisor who is primed to face off the Virginia State Board of Elections in court due to accusations that information has been deliberately concealed.
Goldman, who pioneered the political association No Means No Casino, has an unwavering objection to the casino enterprise. He maintains that its revival was executed without adhering to the tender process employed by the city earlier in 2021. He firmly believes that the Constitution and the Procurement Act are explicit instruments crafted to obstruct such transactions.
The No Means No Casino organisation, established by Goldman in July, is earnestly planning to initiate a door-to-door campaign where delegates would argue against the casino proposal. To fulfil this mission, the group requires access to the voters’ details from the Virginia State Board of Elections.
Goldman Takes Legal Action Against the Election Board
Regrettably, the board declined Goldman’s request to gain this information for his group, thus contravening the constitution, according to Goldman’s allegations. To put it into context, the laws of Virginia state that such data ought to be accessible to political candidates and groups preparing for action.
As per the information revealed by the gambling news portal Casino.org, Goldman has now turned to the law for assistance and submitted a lawsuit in the Richmond City Circuit Court. The legal action seeks to hold commissioner Susan Beals, along with the rest of the Election Board, legally responsible for withholding the claimed information.
So far, the Election Board has chosen to stay silent on this contentious issue.
Mixed Opinions on the Project
The One Casino + Resort project, also identified as the Richmond City casino initiative, was initially launched in 2021. Nonetheless, the proposition could not muster sufficient backing to move forward. With a narrow margin of 1,200 votes against it, the casino venture was put on hold for two years.
Earlier this year, the Richmond City Council began efforts to resurrect the project, following Petersburg’s failed attempt to win approval for a comparable casino designation and secure the state’s fifth casino license.
The revitalised Richmond City casino project enjoys the backing of several high-profile individuals, including the Mayor of Richmond, Levar Stoney. In a previous declaration, Stoney expressed an upbeat outlook for the forthcoming November referendum.
However, the project has its fair share of detractors. For instance, Virginia State Sen. Joe Morrissey continues to be a relentless adversary of the scheme. Earlier this year, he pledged to challenge the reincarnated casino project and prevent it from being included in this year’s ballot.
