New York: Hofstra University sues Nassau County over alleged lack of transparency on proposed Sands casino

New York's Hofstra University is suing Nassau County over "a lack of transparency" surrounding a proposed casino near its campus. The lawsuit claims that county officials held discussions for the proposed $4 billion integrated casino resort in violation of the state's open meetings law. The county's Planning Commission claimed to conduct this meeting last March. 

Las Vegas Sands Corporation announced earlier this year plans to build an entertainment destination, including a casino, in the Nassau Hub. The property is located in Uniondale, just across the road from Hofstra’s main campus.

Open letters from the school’s Board of Trustees and Student Government Association previously called the location inappropriate and a threat to student safety and mental health. Additionally, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has previously said he would not approve any project without enough support from the local community.

Susan Poser

Of the alleged open meetings law violation, Susan Poser, President of Hofstra University, said: "It's serious because this is an enormous tract of public land that they are considering essentially transferring to a private multi-national casino company. That's of huge interest to the public whether they are for it or against it."

The University says that the planning commission failed to provide the public with proper notice and denied the public the right to attend its "work sessions" while scheduling meetings to benefit Las Vegas Sands.

"Hofstra University would be better off spending their students' tuition on education rather than frivolous lawsuits," Nassau County said in a statement in response to the news.