A casino developer gave $75,000 to the city of Roanoke in its pursuit of a casino and entertainment district — but the city isn’t saying what the money’s for.
Roanoke received the payment Jan. 27, according to a financial transaction the city provided after an open records request by The Roanoke Rambler.
A city spokesperson declined to answer a question about the money’s purpose, citing non-disclosure agreements signed by numerous city officials, from council members to legal staff to economic development employees. The city is also not identifying the name of the casino developer, citing the NDA.
The city had agreed to pay a lobbying firm — the Richmond-based Two Capitols Consulting — $6,000 a month to secure casino approval from state lawmakers.
