New York Senator Calls for MGM to Drop Lawsuit Against Las Vegas Mass Shooting Victims if it Wants to Buy Yonkers Casino

A Westchester state senator says MGM’s bid to purchase a Yonkers racetrack casino should be stymied unless the gambling company kills a lawsuit it brought against victims of last year’s mass shooting at one of its Las Vegas properties.

“They should withdraw the lawsuit if they want to proceed, if they want to be in our community,” said Sen. Shelley Mayer (D-Yonkers).

MGM drew fierce criticism after filing suit against hundreds of victims, including the 11 in New York, who have either threatened to.sue MGM or did so but withdrew the claim with the intent of refiling. MGM, which in the lawsuit seeks a judgment that it “has no liability of any kind” under federal law, has said it filed the case in an attempt to bring all cases into federal court.

“This is not a good way to begin their relationship with Yonkers, or frankly, the victims of gun violence,” Mayer said. “I think there should be a frank conversation about this (before the sale is approved) and that MGM should withdraw its action.”