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Mayor And Prosecutor Don't See Eye To Eye Over Casino Letter

By Jeff Neumeyer
June 18, 2010 Updated Jun 12, 2009 at 5:09 PM EST FORT WAYNE, IN (Indiana's NewsCenter) --- Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry and Allen County's prosecutor are at odds over a letter concerning what impacts a downtown casino might have on crime. The letter came from Prosecutor Karen Richards. It was sent two and a half months ago, but it was never acknowledged by the mayor, and in fact, the media and public are just finding out about it. Richards contacted prosecutors in other Indiana communities with casinos or riverboat gambling operations, then popped off a letter to Mayor Henry in March, saying Ohio and Dearborn Counties in Southern Indiana had seen a 200 percent increase in their misdemeanor crime caseloads. Richards admits being miffed that the mayor never responded. She is well aware that Henry hired lobbyists to push state lawmakers for a casino referendum. Karen Richards/(R) Allen County Prosecutor: " I think that also fueled my concern, that if we're pushing for gambling to come to downtown Fort Wayne, we need to consider everything when we make that decision." Ozzie Mitson/City of Fort Wayne: " Her concerns are valid, and that's why the mayor commissioned a study to look at not just the economic impact but the social impacts of gambling, so we appreciate her letter." Mitson says the mayor’s staff didn’t respond, because the letter didn't specifically request a response. Mitson said Henry would be happy to talk to the prosecutor, but it looks like if such a meeting is arranged, it will have to be Richards who takes the lead.
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