JAY-Z CAUGHT UP IN FEDERAL INVESTIGATION OVER CASINO VENTURE
New York Governor DAVID PATERSON has denied rumours his friendship with J= AY-Z influenced him to approve a new race track and casino venture.
Bosses at event promotion company Aqueduct Entertainment Group (AEG) la= nded a lucrative multi-million dollar contract from New York state offici= als in January (10) to upgrade the existing Aqueduct Race Track venue and= turn it into a top race track and gaming site - known as a racino - the = only legal gambling place in the city.
But the ethics surrounding Paterson’s choice of contractor has been cal= led into question after it was revealed Jay-Z holds a seven per cent stak= e in AEG via his firm Gain Global Investments Network LLC.
The rap superstar established a friendship with Paterson after they tea= med up to stage his star-studded 9/11 benefit concert at the Big Apple’s = Madison Square Garden last September (09).
Jay-Z signed a deal with AEG executives later that month - but the agre= ement has prompted a federal investigation into whether Paterson showed u= nfair favour to AEG’s contract bid as a result of the star’s involvement = in the company.
AEG spokesman Jonathan Rosen has dismissed the accusations, insisting t= he hip-hop mogul’s widespread appeal prompted them to court the star.
Rosen tells the New York Post, "Given (Jay-Z’s) superstardom and his lo= ng and deep connection to New York, the partners thought he could bring a= unique perspective to shaping a facility that would truly be an entertai= nment destination.
"The partners were looking to bring in someone who could bring marketin= g and community advice to the team." A spokeswoman for Paterson has also denied the rap connection played a = role in the Governor’s decision.
She says, "There is absolutely no relationship between Governor Paterso= n’s friendship with Jay-Z and the choice of AEG."
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