8/5/2001 Ameristar and Harrah's deny exerting influence on Gaming Commission
Ameristar Casinos Inc. and Harrah's Entertainment Inc. recently appeared in court to defend charges that they didn't exert undo influence over regulators' consideration of a proposed casino along the Big Black River in Mississippi.
Defending the Las Vegas based operators, attorney, David Kaufman, acknowledged that the casinos had contacted Gaming Commission officials but claimed that the casinos simply exercised their First Amendment right to petition the government over a grievance.
In October 1999, a jury awarded more than $3 million to E.L. Pennebaker, a landowner, and Jim Belisle of Multi-Gaming Management. The two sued AmSouth, Isle of Capri Casino, Harrah's and Ameristar for conspiring to influence the Mississippi Gaming Commission?s decision to allow Multi-Gaming to develop casino.
The Isle of Capri and AmSouth both settled but Harrah's and Ameristar appealed to the Mississippi Supreme Court.
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