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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 31, 2008
CONTACT:
Mike Sarfert
(717) 787-6538
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Orie and Ferlo Again Ask the Gaming Control Board for an Open Process and Documents

Harrisburg –Today, State Sen. Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny) and State Sen. Jane Orie (R-Allegheny) sent a formal letter to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) again asking for the release of documents related to the Walton Street take over of the Majestic Star Casino in Pittsburgh.

Despite repeated requests and legal obligations the PGCB has withheld documentation related to the joint application filed by groups headed by Neil Bluhm and Don Barden.  The withheld documentation includes information on the corporate structure of the new casino ownership, debt financing, organizational charts, and agreements on governance. 

"As a state senator heavily involved with ensuring that a casino be built in Pittsburgh, I find the actions of the board troubling," Senator Ferlo said.  "The Board is undermining the public's ability to properly vet the prospective new majority owners of the Majestic Star Casino.  You could take it a step further and say that the board has little interest in hearing what the public has to say."

The letter points out that initial requests were made for the transactional documentation on July 14, and yet no information other than what can be gleaned from the Board's website, has been released.

Senator Orie added, "The fact remains that Messrs Bluhm, Carlin and Keating are constantly in the news as the lead characters in both the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh transactions, yet the Gaming Board and the parties deny they are in control and refuse to release important documentation.  This is the same Board that was satisfied that Mr. Barden had firm financial commitments. The intent of the law was to inform the public and subject this industry to public scrutiny, not to provide technical loopholes to the duty of disclosure."

In addition to their concerns about the withheld documentation, the Senators were troubled by recent newspaper reports and correspondence (see attachments) that made it appears as if the Board's approval of the new ownership is a fait accompli. 

The combination of the lack of procedural transparency and these comments bring into question the Board's due diligence, conduct, and protocol. 

Letter from Senators Orie and Ferlo to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PDF)