Fla. Gov. Crist, lawmakers differ on Indian deal

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A House committee examining a potential gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe was told the agreement Gov. Charlie Crist already signed essentially doesn’t exist.

A lawyer in Attorney General Bill McCollum’s office pointed to the state Supreme Court ruling last year that said Crist didn’t have authority to enter into the agreement that let the tribe install slot machines and blackjack at its casinos.

Crist, however, said Tuesday the federal government could allow the games and the state would see no money from the deal that guarantees Florida $100 million annual.

McCollum’s attorney, Jon Glogau, told the committee that Crist is mistaken and that the state has no obligation to enter a compact with the tribe, only to negotiate.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.