Foxborough Man Charged With Threatening Selectman Over Casino

The Attleboro Sun Chronicle reports:

Foxborough's venomous casino contest hit a new extreme on Patriots' Day with the arrest of a casino supporter who allegedly threatened the life of a selectman.

Michael Viscardi, who supports a proposed casino for the town, allegedly told Selectman Mark Sullivan that he's "a dead man" unless he reverses his opposition to the casino development. The men are neighbors.

More from the Sun Chronicle: "Denise Viscardi said she and her husband, a union laborer, are active in Jobs For Foxboro, pro-casino group which is funded by Wynn Resorts through a public relations company." But the group told the paper Viscardi is not a member.

Viscardi is set to be arraigned today.

On Sunday, the Globe reported that Foxborough's town manager expects that the Board of Selectmen will move to fire him, "based on his opposition to the proposed $1 billion casino and his tendency to lock horns with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft."

The contentiousness out of Foxborough comes as the Massachusetts Gaming Commission today meets for the second time. The five-member panel is charged with developing gaming regulations and awarding licenses for up to one slot parlor and three casinos statewide.

Update at 1:30 p.m.: For a broader look at the gambling industry, today On Point discussed how more and more states — including Massachusetts — are betting on casinos for revenue.