Paterson drops support for Aqueduct racino group

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The Paterson administration has dropped its support for the consortium chosen to build and operate video lottery terminals at the Aqueduct racetrack in Queens.

The governor's office says Thursday it wants an expedited public process to choose a racino operator after the state Lottery Division concluded it can't issue a gaming license to Aqueduct Entertainment Group.

Details of problems with applications filed by AEG earlier this week were not immediately released. The group includes builders, bankers and a casino operator. An AEG spokeswoman didn't immediately reply to a request for comment.

Gov. David Paterson, Senate Democratic leader John Sampson and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver chose AEG from among five bidders.