STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE
With the Boston-area casino license vote completed, Stephen Crosby is back as chair of the five-member gaming commission as it moves ahead with an expected casino in Everett.
Crosby opened Thursday’s commission meeting with an announcement that his recusal is “completed” due to the commission’s vote last week to award the license to Wynn Resorts.
Crosby recused himself earlier this year from the competition for the license between Wynn Resorts and Mohegan Sun after critics raised questions about his attendance at a party at Suffolk Downs, where Mohegan Sun sought to build a casino, and a past relationship with one of the owners of the Everett site that Wynn is seeking to develop.
With James McHugh, a former judge, as the chair, the commission voted 3-1 on Sept. 16 to designate Wynn as the winner of the license.
On Thursday, Crosby said he will be involved in the implementation of the Boston-area casino license but he will remain recused from issues dealing with the land transaction in Everett.
If future “residual matters” arise separate from the land transaction, the commission will “remain alert” and they will be taken under consideration, he added.
“So I’m glad to be back,” said Crosby, who served as budget chief in the Cellucci and Swift administrations.