Casino backers donate to Moore

Congressman says gifts didn't influence decision to sponsor legislation

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ? U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore’s re-election committee has received $7,000 this year from people backing an Oklahoma Indian tribe’s plan to build a casino in Wyandotte County.

Moore, D-Kan., said the donations had no influence on his decision to sponsor special legislation that would enable the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma to build a casino near the new Kansas Speedway. In return, the bill requires that the tribe end its lawsuit claiming rights to nearly 2,000 acres of land in the Fairfax Industrial District in Kansas City, Kan.

“We consider a whole lot of different issues that affect different businesses,” including the gambling industry, Moore said. “The bottom line is I’m not for sale for $10,000 or $10 million.”

Moore, who faces Republican Adam Taff in the Nov. 5 election, also noted the donations represented less than 1 percent of $1.7 million collected by his campaign this year.

Michael Sawruk, a partner in a Washington consulting firm that lobbies Congress on behalf of the Wyandotte Nation, and his wife, Deborah, gave Moore’s campaign a combined $4,000 this year, on top of $1,750 since 1999.

Alan Ginzburg, owner of North American Sports Management Inc. of Maitland, Fla., which has helped finance the tribe’s legal and political struggle to build a casino in Wyandotte County, and his wife donated a combined $2,000.

Paul Filzer, an attorney representing the tribe and North American, his wife, and his law partner each gave Moore $500 this year.

Filzer rebutted any suggestion of a quid pro quo for the pro-tribal gambling group’s donations to Moore, saying they were simply donating to a fellow Democrat.

“We firmly believe Democratic control of the House is vitally important,” Filzer said.

Ginzburg and Sawruk could not be reached for comment.

Moore’s casino bill stalled before Congress adjourned for the election, but Moore said it could be considered at a special session expected to convene in November. If the bill passes the House, Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., is expected to oppose it in the Senate.