Thursday, March 27, 2025
Nassau County could be spending an additional $3 million in taxpayer money to defend itself against two lawsuits opposing a proposed Sands casino resort at the Nassau Coliseum site in Uniondale.
In a 4-3 party-line vote by the county Legislature’s Rules Committee on March 10 Republican legislators approved County Executive Bruce Blakeman's request to amend an existing legal contract with the Mineola-based law firm Sullivan & Cromwell, increasing the total contract cost from $2 million to $5 million.
Under the county charter, certain contracts do not require the approval of the full 19-member legislature and instead fall under the control of the Rules Committee.
Holding a 12-7 majority, the Republican-led legislature, pushed the measure through, but final approval is in the hands of the Nassau Interim Finance Authority the county’s fiscal oversight board. The finance authority is already conducting an audit of outsourced legal work to private firms, a factor that could impact its decision.
The lawsuits in question were filed separately by Hofstra University and of Garden City village, both aiming to halt Las Vegas Sands from constructing a $6 billion casino-resort on the 72-acre county-owned property in Uniondale.
Hofstra, local officials and other civic leaders have raised concerns about the impact of the development on the surrounding community, including potential increases in crime, traffic congestion, and economic shifts.
Legislative Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, a Democrat from Glen Cove, strongly opposed the additional spending, calling it reckless.
The county's amendment to the legal contract cites Sullivan & Cromwell’s “special expertise and availability” as justification for the increased costs. The decision to rely on the high-profile law firm instead of in-house attorneys has drawn criticism from those who see the expenditure as excessive and unnecessary.
Defending the move, Blakeman issued a statement saying that the county would strongly support the Sands proposal noting that it will create jobs, propel economic development and generate prosperity.
