No dice!
A state judge invalidated the Nassau County government’s approval of a 99-year lease agreement allowing Sands to construct a $4 billion casino complex on the Nassau Coliseum site.
The judge ruled officials short-circuited the open meetings and environmental laws before voting.
The lease is now void and Nassau County planning officials are left to begin latest hearings with the county legislature and vote again in the event that they wish to approve it.
The choice issued Thursday by Supreme Court Judge Sarika Kapoor is a giant victory for Hofstra University, the plaintiff within the case whose campus is positioned next to the coliseum hub and opposes the casino plan.
Hofstra filed the lawsuit in April, claiming county planning officials and lawmakers failed to supply sufficient notice for public meetings and environmental review preceding votes within the spring.
![Las Vegas Sands CEO Rob Goldstein](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/NYPICHPDPICT000028701305.jpg?w=1024)
“We appreciate the court’s thoughtful ruling and the court’s granting of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs to Hofstra incurred in reference to several of the claims,” said Hofstra U. president Susan Poser.
“The court recognized the general public’s right to take part in decision-making concerning the current redevelopment plan for the Nassau Hub. We look ahead to contributing to the planning process and advocating for using the Hub in ways that can best contribute to our thriving community, while protecting against environmental and other harms,” the Hofstra honcho said.
The bombshell comes just days after Mets owner Steve Cohen unveiled his bid to erect a $8 billion casino-entertainment complex next to Citi Field as a part of a rebranded Metropolitan Park.
![Aerial of NYCB Live Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York on April 21, 2021](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/NYPICHPDPICT000028701096.jpg?w=1024)
Most of the heavyweight gaming operators are jockeying to win considered one of the three coveted state licenses to run a casino within the Recent York City metropolitan area, including Long Island and the northern suburbs.
“The respondents violated each the Open Meetings Law and SEQRA [State Environmental Quality Review Act] approving the lease transfer,” Kapoor, a 2004 Hofstra Law School graduate, said in her 32-page opinion.
Nassau County had no immediate official comment.
But Sands, in an announcement, said it might not be deterred by the ruling.
“Las Vegas Sands is proceeding proudly and enthusiastically with our proposal for an integrated resort and entertainment center on the Nassau Hub. We’re grateful for the wonderful response we have now received from the Long Island community and we might be continuing our very comprehensive outreach as we present this transformational project,” the corporate said.