Issue: Crime

Read Fairfax Virginia Chapter Leader Stephanie Lundquist-Arora’s new op-ed in the Washington Examiner about a plan to put a casino in her community. Stephanie clearly lays out why the casino is problematic, emphasizing the concerns residents have about the increase in crime and traffic congestion that will likely follow the casino’s construction.

This op-ed was written by Stephanie Lundquist-Arora, IWN member and chapter leader in Virginia. Originally appeared on Washington Examiner.

UPDATE: After the publication of this opinion editorial, Stephanie sent it along with talking points and a link to a local petition drive working to stall the casino, to her chapter members and alerted other Virginia grassroots groups of the situation. These groups later credited Stephanie with providing the information. As a result of Stephanie’s actions and her efforts to coordinate other grassroots groups, the Casino project was put on hold until 2025. In an email to her chapter, Stephanie wrote: 

Thanks to everyone who contacted Virginia’s senators and signed the petition against the casino in Tysons Corner! This afternoon, the Senate Resources Subcommittee voted 4-0 to delay the casino proposal until 2025. The war isn’t over yet, but this is a wonderful victory in an early battle. Our politicians’ votes shouldn’t be for sale, and only our engagement will keep them honest (or at least pretending to be).

This week, Virginia senators are considering a bill to permit a casino in Fairfax County. Residents are overwhelmingly against the bill, but its sponsor, Democratic state Sen. David Marsden, doesn’t seem to be at all dissuaded by the opposition of his constituents.

In fact, Marsden completely excluded the community and local politicians from the legislative drafting process. In particular, relevant Fairfax County Board of Supervisors members Dalia Palchik, Walter Alcorn, and Chair Jeff McKay were left out of Marsden’s legislative plot with the casino’s developer, Comstock Holding Companies.

Marsden’s unwavering support for casino development in a community that neither wants nor needs it doesn’t pass the smell test. In politics, when things do not pass that test, following the money can solve many mysteries. The case of this casino plan is archetypal.

Political action committees and special interest groups associated with the casino have provided large donations to many of Virginia’s politicians. The casino is part of a proposal for The View development in Tysons, a joint venture by Saudi Arabian firm Khalid Juffali and the Northern Virginia firm Clemente Development. In the last four months, Clemente has given $205,000 to Building a Remarkable Virginia PAC, which is one of the largest donors to Marsden and his allies in the state Senate.

On Oct. 18, 2023, Clemente gave $25,000 to Building a Remarkable Virginia PAC and $10,000 directly to Marsden. Five days later, the PAC donated $24,000 to Marsden. Following his triumph in the November 2023 election, on Jan. 5, Clemente donated an additional $180,000 to the Building a Remarkable Virginia PAC.

A mere 12 days after Clemente’s generous donation to one of Marsden’s most supportive political action committees, the senator introduced a bill to permit a casino in Fairfax County. The bill, of course, contains exceedingly specific stipulations that would allow a casino only in the Juffali/Clemente development.

From all appearances, it would seem that a commercial firm has partnered with a Saudi Arabian firm to buy Marsden and some of his colleagues to pass legislation against their constituents’ interests. And Clemente’s financial funneling into Building a Remarkable Virginia PAC, rather than simply donating directly to Marsden, indicates that there seems to be an interest in hiding the funding pathways.

Marsden is not alone in accepting large political donations from the casino developer and its affiliates. In 2023, Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell received $95,000 in campaign contributions from Building a Remarkable Virginia PAC and $6,772 directly from Comstock. Clemente also generously donated $100,000 to the chairwoman of the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Louise Lucas.

But these well-funded senators must find it difficult to argue that a casino in northern Fairfax County is for the public good. The Tysons Corner area is doing exceptionally well without it. There are plenty of jobs and opportunities for the residents. With all the debauchery associated with casinos, the main argument in favor of casino development is for the local economy’s development and growth. Yet Tysons Corner residents are fervently opposed to it.

Marsden and other proponents of casino development argue that despite the rise in crime, traffic congestion, and many other problems associated with casinos, Fairfax County would benefit from the casino’s tax revenue. However, McKay shared his concerns in a letter to the Virginia General Assembly that 70% of tax revenue from gaming would go to the state, rather than to Fairfax County. In other words, Fairfax County, which does not need the economic growth from a casino, would shoulder all of its burden and gain only a small fraction of its tax benefit. No, thanks.

The money associated with the casino development’s political donations is difficult to trace, though not impossible. Affiliated companies donate to political action committees that give to candidates, who donate to other candidates.

It will be interesting to watch Virginia’s politicians as SB675 progresses. Which of them are for sale? And which of them have given up pretending to care about their constituents’ interests?

Marsden already showed his hand when he sponsored the bill. Are his colleagues equally as committed to crony capitalism? Time will tell.