RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. (AP) - A group seeking to build a hotel and casino in central Arkansas has released plans for the $254 million project, but a lawsuit has been filed over whether a judge’s support for the project was improper.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports Pope County’s outgoing Judge Jim Ed Gibson expressed support in a letter Thursday for the Gulfside Casino Partnership’s plan for a full-fledged casino in Russellville.
Gibson’s last day in office is Tuesday, when he will be succeeded by Ben Cross, who opposes a casino in the area. Another casino opponent has filed a lawsuit seeking to have Gibson’s letter declared invalid.
Arkansas voters approved an amendment in November that legalizes gambling in four counties, but also requires the support of the county judge or Quorum Court.
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Information from: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, http://www.arkansasonline.com
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