Feds Rip Boston’s Lawsuit Against Gaming Commission

Planned Wynn casino in Everett. Rendering by Wynn.

The U.S. Attorney’s office blasted Boston in a court filing on Wednesday for its “vicious” lawsuit against the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, charging that the city has “spewed and spun” rumors about investigations into an Everett land deal for the Wynn Resorts casino.

The court filing in federal court was in response to a request for discovery in the case involving three men currently facing federal charges for hiding their involvement in the deal. Charles Lightbody of Revere, Dustin DeNunzio of Cambridge and Anthony Gattineri of Winchester are all facing charges for allegedly hiding the involvement of Lightbody in the deal. Lightbody is a convicted felon.

The harsh words from U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz’s office come as the fight over the Wynn casino project continues slowly moves through court. Boston, along with Somerville, Revere, Local 103, and Mohegan Sun have all filed lawsuits in state court challenging the commission for its decision to award the lone eastern Massachusetts casino license to Wynn instead of Suffolk Downs. A judge ruled earlier this month that Boston’s lawsuit can continue but they do not have subpoena power at this time.

The court filing is a the heart of the dispute  is the employment status of two private investigators, Joseph Flaherty and Stepehen Matthew. The defendants, as well as Boston, have alleged that the two men had inappropriate access to files in the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office during their time working for Wynn. The defendants submitted a motion asking Judge Mariann Bowler to compel the government to turn over evidence related to this alleged incident.

Ortiz’s office is asking the judge to deny their motion. A hearing is expected July 29.