Genting Executives Contribute To Incumbent County Commissioners

Read our previous coverage of Genting’s political contributions.

The Malaysian gambling conglomerate that wants to build a casino resort on the site of the Miami Herald headquarters believes in county commissioners Audrey Edmonson, Bruno Barreiro, Barbara Jordan and Dennis Moss, the quartet of incumbents who have been targeted for elimination by auto dealer mogul Norman Braman. A review of their most recent quarterly campaign reports shows that two companies controlled by Genting executives Christian Goode and Jessica Hoppe gave each commissioner $1,000 for their reelection campaigns.

Last year, Goode donated $500 to the reelection campaign of county Mayor Carlos Gimenez and his employer Genting New York contributed $10,000 to the mayor’s political action committee Common Sense Now. Goode and Hoppe are president and vice-president, respectively, of Genting-owned Resorts World Miami.

Over the weekend, the Herald reported Genting has given $697,000 to the state Republican and Democratic parties as the company continues to pursue its ambitious plan to get a gambling license for its Resorts World Miami project. Genting is also looking at gathering signatures to add a constitutional amendment on the 2014 statewide ballot.

Genting’s estimated $3 billion redevelopment project hit several roadblocks shortly after the firm announced its plan in a grand style. It met resistance from existing parimutuels and gambling interests in Florida because Genting would get a more significant tax break. There was also a local grassroots movement, including supporters of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts and Herald critics like former Miami Mayor Joe Carrollo, against Genting.

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