Massachusetts: Five-year ban on casino jobs proposed for Springfield officials

Under a proposed municipal ethics ordinance, the city’s elected officials -the mayor and 11 city councilors - would be barred for at least five years from obtaining a job at the MGM casino after leaving the city’s employment. Non-elected officials who are considered “major policymakers” would face a two-year ban.

"When you deal with gaming there is a heightened and justified public scrutiny. We need to execute these agreements and see this project through with the highest of ethical standards," said Mike Fenton.

Fenton said the cooling-off periods he proposes are longer than both what the state ethics law requires and what the Massachusetts Gaming Commission has in place for its workers. " It is important that Springfield led the state in terms of ethics when it comes to casino gaming," said Fenton.

The state ethics law prohibits a municipal employee from taking a job for one year with a private employer, if they advocated for that employer in an official capacity. The gaming commission imposes a three-year waiting period on its members and staff.

The city council Monday night gave initial approval to the proposed casino ethics ordinance and sent it to committee where it could be subject to amendment.

"We'll see what the proposal looks like when we codify it into law, but I am determined to codify it into law," Fenton added.

MGM, which received a license from the state gaming commission last year to build and operate the only resort casino authorized in western Massachusetts, plans to begin construction later this year on the US$ 800 million project in downtown Springfield.

The Las Vegas-based entertainment giant will need the city council to approve zoning changes and permanent street closures and to obtain construction permits from city departments. When the casino opens in 2017, there are projected to be 3,000 permanent jobs.

City Councilor Tim Rooke called Fenton’s proposal “a headline grabber” and said he is philosophically opposed to it.  "Lets put it across the board. Why are we applying it to just one industry?"

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno has questioned if it is necessary to impose employment restrictions that go beyond what is already required by the state ethics law, but he said he would withhold comment until the council takes final action.