rick simon herguth fine rivers casino chicago

“What we’re trying to determine what’s the process, how did it come about, who was involved in the decision making, who evaluated the proposals, what type of background investigation, if any, was done,” Ostrowski said. The probe began after the BGA asked a Rivers representative about Simon, whereupon Rivers fired United Service and notified the gaming board of the situation, according to casino and gaming board officials. However, Ostrowski emphasized it’s too early to say what if anything will happen with Rivers, as his agency’s investigation has just started. The gaming board is allowed to issue fines – even in the millions of dollars, as the agency once did for Grand Victoria in Elgin when that casino hired a ventilation contractor with alleged mob connections – and revoke a gaming license, taking away the ability of a casino to legally operate, Ostrowski said. That provision can cover people with ties to reputed organized crime figures, said Mark Ostrowski, the gaming board’s administrator.

The Illinois Gaming Board – the state government agency that currently regulates video gaming and casinos across Illinois – can punish casinos for anything that “would discredit or tend to discredit the Illinois Gaming industry,” including “employing persons of notorious or unsavory reputation,” according to state rules. Political leaders are again talking of expanding gambling to stir up tax revenue and shore up government finances.

Stephens as he unsuccessfully sought a casino for his tiny northwest suburb in the shadow of O’Hare Airport.Ĭoncerns about organized crime influence also have surfaced in recent years over proposals to let the City of Chicago own and possibly regulate its own casino. Simon said in an interview he’s an upstanding businessman unfairly portrayed in past media reports.Īccording to gaming regulators, Illinois casinos are not supposed to have even a hint of organized crime ties – which dogged late Rosemont Mayor Donald E. The president of United Service is Richard “Rick” Simon, a former Chicago police officer who over the years has had business and personal connections to reputed mob figures, according to public records, news accounts and interviews. Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription.

Rick simon herguth fine rivers casino chicago