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The debate about slot machines has gotten personal.
On Wednesday, Comptroller Peter V.R. Franchot (D) wrote a letter to Johns Hopkins University President William R. Brody asking him to sever ties with the pro-slots For Maryland For Our Future, whose chairman, Frederick W. Puddester, is a senior associate dean at the university.
Next month, Maryland voters will be asked in a referendum question whether they want slot machines in the state. If it is approved, the state would provide 15,000 slot machines at five locations in Baltimore city, Laurel, Rocky Gap, Cecil County and on the Eastern Shore.
Franchot, who once co-sponsored two bills to legalize slots, does not want the machines in Maryland because, among other drawbacks, they would increase crime, he has said.
Puddester and his group favor slots to help boost the economy; they want to keep residents from traveling to adjoining states to gamble legally.
"This group is trying to buy the upcoming election, accepting millions and millions of dollars in out-of-state special interest money — and doing so with a Hopkins Dean at the helm," Franchot wrote. "I suspect that many of the University's alumni and supporters are unaware of this fact, and I am concerned that Hopkins' long-term reputation may be tarnished by its involvement in this pro-gambling campaign."
Franchot could not be reached Thursday for comment. But in the letter, he criticized Puddester's group for launching a "highly negative and personal attack" to get slots.
"I fear that Dean Puddester's actions will reflect negatively on the reputation of Hopkins University and its staff, as the Dean is now a full-time attack dog for a political campaign funded by the gambling industry while still in your employ," Franchot wrote.
In the letter, obtained by The Gazette, Franchot does not directly ask that Puddester be fired by Johns Hopkins. In any event, Puddester cannot be fired for his activities on his own time, said Dennis O'Shea, a university spokesman.
Johns Hopkins has no ties to For Maryland For Our Future, he said.
"Fred Puddester is a citizen, like any other, free on his own time to express his personal opinions on public policy and to work for policy initiatives that he believes in," O'Shea said. "He does not represent Johns Hopkins on this issue, and he has not, as far as I know, claimed to do so."
In his letter, Franchot pointedly noted that Puddester was asked by Gov. Martin O'Malley, with whom Franchot has been at odds, to chair the pro-slots group.
Puddester could not be reached for comment.
Go to www.gazette.net/links to read Peter Franchot's letter to Johns Hopkins University
