ECKERT RESPONDS TO E-MAILS ON ARGOSY LEASE

CITY MANAGER PAUL ECKERT SAYS HE'S DISAPPOINTED WITH E-MAILS RELEASED WITH DETAILS OF THE CITY'S EFFORTS TO NEGOTIATE A NEW LEASE WITH PENN GAMING OVER THE OPERATION OF THE ARGOSY RIVERBOAT CASINO.

THE E-MAILS SENT TO MEDIA, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND OTHERS BY AN ALLEGED ARGOSY EMPLOYEE ACCUSE THE CITY OF ASKING FOR MORE MONEY FROM PENN FOR THE NEW LEASE AGREEMENT.



THE CITY IS ASKING FOR AN ADDITIONAL180-THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM PENN ON THE 1-POINT-8 MILLION DOLLAR LEASE BECAUSE PENN WILL NOT AGREE TO RELEASE THE CITY FROM THE THREAT OF LITIGATION.

ECKERT SAYS THE CITY WOULD USE THE MONEY TO RECOUP POTENTIAL LEGAL EXPENSES AND PROTECT TAXPAYERS. ECKERT SAYS THE E-MAILS HAD INFORMATION THAT CLEARLY CAME FROM PRIVATE PHONE CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN THE CITY AND PENN GAMING:



ECKERT SAYS PENN HAS A HISTORY OF LITIGATION INVOLVING OTHER CITIES THEY HAVE DONE BUSINESS WITH;



PENN GAMING HAS NOT SENT A STATEMENT TO KSCJ REGARDING THE RELEASE OF THE E-MAILS.