GekeVenn: MGM RESORTS

In seven years of putting together venn diagrams overlapping big government and big business, I've never included an Interior Department Secretary. Until now.

And in fact, this venn includes two of them: Gale Norton and Ken Salazar. Why? Because last year, MGM Resorts was trying to persuade the Department of the Interior and the current Secretary, Ryan Zinke, not to grant approval to a competing casino project in Connecticut put forward by the Pequot and Mohegan Indian tribes.

Two months ago it was reported that the Interior Department was delaying its approval decision because of pressure from MGM Resorts. As a result, the Mohegan and Pequot tribes have sued Secretary Zinke and the Interior Department over the delay.

Interestingly, TheHill.com reported the following back in February: "Documents obtained by Politico show that Interior officials had numerous calls and meetings with MGM and Republican lawmakers who support its position..." illustrating a seeming bias in wanting to suggest that Republicans are primarily responsible for MGM Resorts' political influence. But as a quick glance at the venn shows, this example of government collusion with MGM is happening on both sides of the aisle. In fact, it looks to be carried out by slightly more Democrats than Republicans.

In addition to Norton and Salazar, MGM also hired Elizabeth Gore, former chief of staff for Senator Byron Dorgan (D) (only her White House service in the Clinton administration is listed on the venn). Dorgan sat, unsurprisingly, on the Senate Indian Affairs committee. And not included here is Brian Ballard, a Shadow Tie lobbyist; though he has no covered position in government, he's a major Trump fundraiser with ties to the White House.

Note that former Attorney General Eric Holder is not listed as personally representing MGM, but his firm is listed and Holder's involvement in the case includes writing a letter to the Connecticut Attorney General's office on behalf of MGM Resorts.

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