The lawsuit was filed against the Turning Stone, the Beeches in Rome and the State Liquor Authority on behalf of three tavern associations and two Oneida County residents.

The attorney representing the plaintiffs says the lawsuit claims the petitioners would be harmed by new venues where alcohol can be marketed and that the public would be harmed if alcohol were to be served inside an illegally functioning gaming facility. The state liquor authority says they have not been served any papers and therefore, have no comment.

The Beeches in Rome, which is co-owned by Christopher Destito, husband of Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito, also had no comment.

In a written statement, the Turning Stone called the lawsuit "frivolous" and said they have, "followed all applicable rules and the State Liquor Authority routinely awards these permits to others in the same situation."

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit are the Oneida County Chapter of the Empire State Restaurant and Tavern Association, the Madison and Herkimer Counties Hotel, Restaurant and Liquor Dealers Association, Oneida County Legislator Michael Hennessy and Verona resident Harry Burton.