Massachusetts Gaming Commissioner Faces Ethics Inquiry

The chairman of the state gambling commission confirms he's under investigation by state ethics officials over possible conflict of interest in the review of a proposed casino on land owned by a longtime friend.

Although State Ethics Commission investigations are secret, gambling commission Chairman Stephen Crosby tells The Boston Globe he has done nothing wrong.

The newspaper reports that the ethics commission received a sworn statement that alleges Crosby participated in the process to award a casino license for the Boston area despite recusing himself from the process.

The license was granted to Wynn Resorts, which plans a $1.6 billion casino in Everett on land that belonged to Crosby's friend.

Boston has filed suit alleging the Gaming Commission violated state law and its own rules to make sure Wynn got the license.