Investigative Post

The Seneca Nation of Indians has weathered the pandemic, but faces an uncertain economic future because of its impact on the tribe’s casino and hospitality business. Casino-related revenues account for nearly three-quarters of the nation’s budget. Phil Gambini discusses his recent story with NewsRadio 930 WBEN.  

As reopenings across the country begin, the impacts of COVID-19 continue to threaten the economies of Native American governments, including the Seneca Nation here in Western New York. Many tribes rely on casinos and other Native-owned businesses to fund services and capital improvements, but how soon those enterprises bounce back is uncertain. Of particular concern […]

Earlier this week, Phil Gambini reported that the Western Regional Off Track Betting Corp. has secured $3.2 million in federal funding intended to help small business weather the COVID-19 pandemic. The story also detailed how OTB chief Henry Wojtaszek has doubled his salary since starting with the organization, despite its uneven financial performance and ongoing […]

The Western Regional Off Track Betting Corp. is not to be mistaken for a small business. It’s a state-created public benefit corporation, owned by 15 counties and two cities, and charged with running legalized betting operations in western and central New York. It shares its profits with those local governments and the State of New […]

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins want federal scrutiny of the way Immigrations and Customs Enforcement treats immigrants held at its detention center in Batavia. Investigative Post reported last week that ICE routinely released detainees without regard for their well-being, dropping them off at a local gas station and bus stop without […]

Phil Gambini’s report Wednesday for Investigative Post documented how ICE mistreats immigrants released from the federal detention center in Batavia. He discussed the story Thursday morning with Jay Moran on WBFO . Gambini was also interviewed by Susan Rose on  NewsRadio 930WBEN. Investigative Post reported that detainees are commonly released from the facility without coordinating […]

Updated: 8:10 p.m. The Citgo off the Batavia exit of the Thruway is a typical gas station: a convenience store with 10 gas pumps. It doubles as a Greyhound bus stop. It’s also the drop-off point for people just released from the nearby detention center managed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. Matt Thompson […]

Phil Gambini reported Thursday on what detainees say are dangerous conditions at the immigrant detention center in Batavia. Today, he discussed his reporting with Susan Rose on WBEN.