Casino Riverboats Politically Connected

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) _ The state’s fledgling gambling discipline is almost certainly a prize for family of Gov. Edwin Edwards.

– The governor’s past regulation lover, William Broadhurst, possess a $350,000 agreement with Casino America, whoever mother or father company possess 50 % of a Bossier town riverboat.

– Edwards’ kid Stephen accumulates to earn doing $132,000 in lawful charge from the Atlantic City-based finances playing Foreign, which happens to be adding a boat in brand-new Orleans.

– Stephen’s father-in-law, Fred Lieux, will make $2 million in a deal with a riverboat casino.

In most, seven regarding the state’s 11 approved riverboat gambling casino are actually associated with Edwards’ relatives or political and economic backers.

Both Edwards great kid currently have made an appearance before a situation big jury investigating Louisiana’s gambling industry. Extremely involve some of people that starred high-stakes poker with Edwards at governor’s residence.

But Edwards claims there’s nothing to be distressed about.

?People connected with myself will be in banks, area, shipping, vehicles, all kinds of project because I’ve been governor (on / off) for twenty years,? Edwards believed. ?I’m not seeing welcome the silly opinion that simply because individuals see myself, they should be ostracized from the best operation.?

Edwards are a vintage hand at fantastic panel testament. His or her present beauty ended up being their twentieth since he had been first chosen governor in 1972.

He was acquitted of national racketeering expense in 1985. Last year, the guy made an appearance on ?60 hour? and reviewed his frequent casino in Las Vegas.

Condition lawyers simple Richard Ieyoub rejected remark once questioned if he had been focused on the casinos’ links to Edwards.

?The status police has the power together with the influence to grant the permission,? stated Ieyoub, that also testified before the large panel. ?I dont have in mind the grounds they normally use for providing certificates. Continue reading In addition, he has done benefit two other riverboat gambling enterprises.