Candidates Returned Campaign Contributions to Casino Owner

Mike Nevin and Leyland Yee, two candidates standing for a place in the California Senate are reported to be returning contributions they received to their political campaign funds to local casino owner, Renato Medina

Medina, under indictment for tax evasion, operates the Lucky Chances casino in Colma will receive back contributions totaling $6,500 from Yee and from Nevin a further $3,500.

Spokesmen for the senate candidates stated that in light of the serious of the felony charges against Medina, returning the money is a necessary move in order to avoid any appearance of impropriety and to maintain a level of trust from the public.

Despite this, former Assemblyman Lou Papan, who is the third contender for the state senate seat criticized the two candidates for accepting the money in the first place. A spokesman for Papan reportedly said that Papan would not be beholden to felons such as Medina, and that the real issue is that Yee and Nevin accepted large campaigh contributions from a man under indictment.

While all three of the candidates distanced themselves from the casino owner, there were many people in Colma continuing to support Medina, who's casino brings in a substantial about of the town's tax revenues, and is also well known for giving generously to local charities.

Medina has rigorously denied all charges and Colma residents are happy to overlook the charges of tax evasion and stand behind the man who has contributed $10,000 to the local Daly City Emergency Food Pantry over the last five years.

Local councilman Larry Formalejo will still support a coming vote to permit unlimited betting at Medina's Lucky Chances casino despite Medina's legal troubles.
Colma was forced by the state Gambling Control Commission to enact a $200 betting limit, after the town was found to be in violation of a statewide ban on gambling expansion.