Free Republic

Sacramento -- The FBI has expanded its investigation of state Senate leader Don Perata in recent weeks, interviewing current and former members of his staff as well as lawyers and lobbyists for Bay Area card clubs that hired Perata's business partner at the senator's suggestion, five people with knowledge of the inquiry said. Federal agents are investigating Perata's financial relationship with the partner, Timothy G. Staples, and whether the Oakland lawmaker received any of the card-club money that went to Staples, according to people familiar with the probe who agreed to speak on the condition they not be identified. The...

Proposed gambling initiative wouldn't help state budget Cardrooms, racetracks could get slot machines SACRAMENTO – A proposed ballot measure that could expand casino gambling in California would generate at least $1 billion a year, but none of that would go to help close the state’s massive budget deficit, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office. The initiative targeted for the November ballot asks all of the state’s Indian casinos to give 25 percent of their gross winnings to the state. If any tribe refuses, a select group of horse racetracks and cardrooms would get to divide 30,000 slot machines. The...