Meeks Backs Flake, Selection Of AEG

By DOMENICK RAFTER

U.S. Rep. Greg Meeks (D-Jamaica) is unwaveringly defending the selection of Aqueduct Entertainment Group to develop the “racino” at Aqueduct Racetrack – and the person who has emerged as the figurehead of the deal, his predecessor in Congress, the Rev. Floyd Flake.

“There has been a lot of unfortunate misinformation,” said Meeks. “Everyone said Rev. Flake is the lead person in the deal, when that’s not true. He is only 0.6 percent of the deal.”

Criticism of Gov. David Paterson’s decision to back AEG’s bid arose after allegations that Paterson chose AEG to woo the backing of the politically influential Flake for his gubernatorial campaign. Paterson is suffering from low approval ratings and may face a strong challenge from State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo in September’s Democratic primary. Flake’s church, the Great Allen AME Cathedral of New York, has more than 18,000 members and is influential in Southeast Queens’ large and strongly Democratic African-American population.

Meeks, who represents the Jamaica-based congressional district Flake represented from 1987 until 1997, said critics have purposely ignored Rev. Flake’s work within the community. He also commended work of Darryl Green, the Darman Group principal who also had a .06 percent stake in AEG’s bid, but dropped out of the deal after it was discovered he pleaded guilty to defrauding the city out of thousands of dollars in cash in 1999. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, reluctant to the AEG deal, refused to back any deal in which any partner had a criminal record.

“No one is looking at the capabilities of what Rev. Flake and Darryl Green brought to the deal,” Meeks said. “When you talk about economic development in Queens, no one is more qualified [than Flake and Green]”.

Meeks said he didn’t understand why bidders like AEG with a focus on community involvement were being criticized. He said any bidder who had community ties should “get extra points.”

“One bidder included the community and they seem to be criticized for the tiny piece they put in to make sure jobs are created in and around the community where the racino will be,” Meeks said, pointing out that AEG’s inclusion of Flake and Greene helped tie the South Queens community into the project. “AEG is qualified to make sure local people are getting the jobs to be created in the district.”

Meeks also had kind words for Jeffrey Levine, Chairman of Levine Builders, AEG’s developers, saying that Levine has spearheaded important development projects throughout New York City.

Meeks also responded to the federal investigation into New Direction Local Development Corp. He said he is not involved in the investigation into New Direction and did not know what the investigation is about, but will cooperate with investigators if asked.

He said he did know New Direction oversaw the New Yorkers Organized for Hurricane Families charity that was set up by Meeks and State Senate President Pro Tempore Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans) to raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Earlier this month, it was discovered that only $1,392 of the over $30,000 raised was actually given out to victim’s families. Meeks said he knows a separate account was set up to aid transparency between New Direction and the charity and that those records will show where the money went.

“I join other in asking for transparency. I, too, want to know where that money went.” Meeks said.

Other local officials have weighed in on the selection of AEG, criticizing the deal, but supporting the plans to move forward.

“The deal’s lack of transparency and a set of objective criteria are fair game for criticism. But what is not fair game is to scrap the entire project at this point,” said State Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach).

”It is imperative that New York State moves expeditiously to finalize the contract that establishes the racino at Aqueduct Racetrack. It is a long-awaited project that will bring both construction and permanent, full-time jobs to our community,” said Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer (D-Rockaway Beach).

Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at drafter@queenstribune.com or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 125.