Governor Deval Patrick should return $17,000 in campaign contributions he reportedly received from gambling interests because accepting the donations prevents the governor from independently analyzing expanding gambling issues, according to Tom Larkin, president of United to Stop Slots Massachusetts.
“We expect the governor to return those donations and stick to his earlier commitment to conduct an independent cost-benefit analysis of proposals to expand gambling,’’ he said in a statement yesterday. The group demanded that all candidates for governor disclose and return all contributions from gambling interests.
The Patrick campaign has indicated the governor will review the donations and return any directly from gambling interests.
“Our campaign has a policy not to take money from lobbyists that directly represent the gaming industry,’’ said Alex Goldstein, a campaign spokesman. “We are reviewing all contributions and will return any and all donations that may have been received in error where appropriate, in adherence to our policy.’’
Asked whether Patrick should also return donations from antigambling advocates, Larkin argued that gambling interests had infused millions of dollars to win support on Beacon Hill.
“USSMASS, and their voluntary supporters, have no financial interest in the political decision to bring slot machines into Massachusetts,’’ he said. “We welcome the comparison. USSMASS spent less than $4,000 since organizing as a nonprofit organization in 2010. We have no paid staff.’’
According to campaign finance records, Larkin donated $500 to Patrick a week after the governor returned an expanded gambling bill to lawmakers with an amendment after the Legislature had completed its scheduled formal sessions for the year.
During informal sessions, which will continue through January, unanimous support is needed to advance any proposal, so controversial bills are effectively dead.
Other antigambling advocates have donated to Patrick this election cycle, as well, including former attorney general Scott Harshbarger, former lieutenant governor candidate Robert Massie, former governor Michael S. Dukakis, and Larkin’s predecessor, Kathleen Conley Norbut.
Alan Khazei, a former Democratic candidate for Senate who made waves in last year’s special election primary campaign when he spoke out against casino gambling, gave Patrick $500 in each of the past two years.
