Seth Carey

Prior to the Vote Yes on 2 for Maine political action committee being formed for the Oxford County casino effort, the casino project was funded by the MaineCasinoNow.com PAC.

The PAC, controlled by Rumford Attorney Seth Carey, reported being $13,592 in debt today. Carey had led the casino referendum drive prior to selling the project to Olympia Gaming in Las Vegas last month.

The PAC’s name is MaineCasinoNow.com. The Web address MaineCasinoNow.com used to direct to Carey’s Web site for the casino project, but now is an empty domain.

AUGUSTA -- After a Las Vegas company took over the Oxford County Casino project this week, Seth Carey, who launched the effort, said he would not comment on what his role would be in the project as it moves forward.

Carey attended a luncheon for the Maine Development Foundation Thursday.

The ballot question for the casino asks voters if they will allow “a certain Maine company” to build a casino in Oxford County. After the announcement of the takeover, this opposing group said this question now misleads voters.

“Almost all the claims by the casino proponents are flawed and misleading, now the ballot question itself is part of the big lie,” said Dennis Bailey of CasinosNO! in a release. “The backers of this casino promoted it as a Maine company with Maine roots. Now we learn their roots go all the way to Las Vegas.”

Carey said that the question is still accurate. By taking over a project in Maine, The Olympia Group becomes a Maine company, Carey said.

Casinos NO must now wage a war on two fronts -Western Maine and Scarborough.  In the last two front war, the folks at Casinos NO won one and they lost one.  They would argue that it wasn't really a loss, but more the case that they chose not to engage in the Slots referendum. The latest word from Casinos NO supporters is that they will not make that mistake this time.

At this point in the battle, the Dennis Bailey and the Casinos NO folks have the numbers on their side.  Recent polling data has shown that a majority of Mainers are against the Oxford County Casino.  However, the proponents have plenty of money and will likely put together a talented campaign team.

An anti-casino group is claiming that finding an out-of-state backer for the Oxford County Casino project was the secret game plan all along for those pushing the Oxford County Casino referendum.

Dennis Bailey, head of CasinosNO! said it was deceptive to those signing the petition.

“He (former president Seth Carey) sold this plan to voters and the signers of the petition as a locally owned and operated, Maine-based resort casino,” Bailey wrote in an e-mail. “Now, less than two months before the election, the curtain is pulled back to reveal that the real owner is a Las Vegas mogul who’s only interest is taking millions of dollars from Maine people to fill his vault in Las Vegas.”

Two Oxford County legislators said that having an experienced backer for the Oxford County Casino was a necessity for the project to move forward.

The Olympia Group, a Las-Vegas company that manages several major casinos, announced its purchase of Evergreen Mountain Enterprises this morning.

Evergreen Mountain Enterprises is a company founded by Rumford Attorney Seth Carey in support of a casino in Oxford County. Carey spearheaded a citizen’s initiative and was running the campaign in support of passing the ballot question this November.

The Olympia Group, a Las Vegas gaming company, has taken over the Oxford County Casino project.

The casino project launched as a citizen’s initiative, and goes to the ballot in November. It was spearheaded by Evergreen Mountain Enterprises, a Rumford company created by Attorney Seth Carey for the project.

The sale was announced today at a press conference in Portland.

Dean Harrold, Vice Chairman of Olympia Gaming, will be the new president of the casino if it is approved. Harrold has held several top positions in Vegas, including as past president and chief operating officer of Caesars Palace.

What can you possible add to the LaMarche departure from the Oxford County casino campaign?

I got three words for you DI SAS TER!

Sure it was a long shot from the beginning, but Mainer's have been known to give the finger to conventional wisdom from time to time.

The Oxford County Casino project has lost its spokeswoman, the Associated Press is reporting.

Pat LaMarche left the campaign today, citing “legal and professional issues” with Rumford Attorney Seth Carey, who is leading the initiative.

LaMarche is a former gubernatorial candidate and a member of the Green Party.

Carey is currently facing disciplinary action for misconduct in front of the Board of Overseers of the Maine Bar. He could not be reached immediately for comment.

Proving once again that "the house always wins", Seth Carey, the man behind the Oxford County Casino has had the assault charges dropped against him

Mr. Carey had a misdemeanor assault charge filed against him on March 18th. As a result, Mr. Carey resigned from his position both in his Casino role and as President of Evergreen Mountain Enterprises.

It is still not clear if Mr. Carey will be returning to the campaign in any official capacity -- or continue to work behind the scenes.

Carey is stepping down from his role as leader of the initiative after it was reported that he received a summons for assault that allegedly took place in early March.