LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – The chairman of the Arkansas Racing Commission has recused himself from the process to assign a casino operating license, saying his decision ensures the integrity of the matter.
Chairman Alex Lieblong’s move Monday follows a report in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that indicated he had discussed the procedure with a lawyer for one of the parties vying for the contract.
“While I know that I have not acted inappropriately, nor am I in any way biased toward either of the candidates, and to avoid any appearance of impropriety and remove any doubts as to the integrity of either myself or this process, I am voluntarily withdrawing my scores and recusing from any votes regarding the Pope County casino licensing matter,” he wrote in a letter to the commission.
Cherokee Nation Businesses of Oklahoma and Gulfside Casino Partnership of Mississippi have been competing for a license to run a casino in Pope County.
Last month, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that Lieblong had been in communication with the Cherokee Nation Businesses’ attorney via text message. The exchange, which the newspaper obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, shows a conversation about what appears to be the casino license process.
Lieblong’s letter didn’t mention the text messages or his specific reason for recusal.
Dustin McDaniel is the attorney with whom Lieblong exchanged the messages. He said he isn’t aware of any reason why the chairman would withdraw, but that he respects his decision.
“Judges and commissioners recuse from proceedings all the time,” McDaniel said.
A spokesman for Gulfside declined to comment.
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