Local News
(2003-01-28)
CINCINNATI, OH
(wvxu) -
On Thursday, Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune says he will file a taxpayers' lawsuit or a petition to get possession of certain documents. That will happen, he says, unless National Football League Commissioner Paul Tagliabue or Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown agrees by five pm Wednesday to enter negotiations with Portune. The county commissioner wants the NFL to agree to an $80 million stadium loan and $124 million worth of changes to the Bengals' lease with the county for Paul Brown Stadium. Portune says the money is needed to pay off the cost of the stadium within 20 years, as originally promised to taxpayers, instead of 35 years. Portune says the debt on the stadium threatens the county's ability to fund essential services. National Football League officials could not be reached for a reaction. Portune has said the Bengals may have violated their stadium agreement with the county by not making a good faith effort to field a winning team. The Bengals have declined to comment on Portune's charges.
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