Gaming Control Board Honors Retiring Bureau of Investigations And Enforcement Director David Kwait

Board also awards a local law enforcement grant, fines two licensees and revoked or denied three employee registrations

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today honored retiring Director of the Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement, David Kwait, for his integrity and tireless work in helping to launch the Commonwealth’s slots casino industry.

“The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board proudly recognizes David Kwait for his exemplary record of service and leadership,” said Chairman Mary DiGiacomo Colins. “We congratulate David on his retirement from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and wishes him the very best in all his future endeavors.”

Under his watch, BIE grew to a unit of more than 70 employees, many of those recruited having backgrounds with the FBI, major city or regional police departments, and other law enforcement units. During that time, the BIE conducted more than 19,000 investigations on individuals and corporate entities.

Kwait is a 40-year veteran of the federal and state law-enforcement communities. Prior to joining the Board, he served as the Chief of Criminal Investigations for the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. He also served as an FBI agent for 30 years.

Kwait earned a bachelor’s degree in French from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh in 1964 and did post-graduate work at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California in 1965 before joining the FBI. From 1966 to 1996 he served in New Orleans, Chicago, Washington and Pittsburgh, where he was supervisory special agent from 1990-96.

From 1996-97, Kwait was manager of the Office of Municipal Investigations in the City of Pittsburgh. He joined the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office in 1997, serving as Executive Manager of the Office of Criminal Investigation until Attorney General Jerry Pappert left office in January 2005. Kwait and his wife, Diana, live in Hummelstown and have five grown children.

In other business the Gaming Control Board today approved two consent agreements resulting in the levy of fines. In the first matter, TDN Money Systems, Inc was fined $3,600 for not submitting a renewal application in a timely manner. A holder of a supplier license must submit a renewal application two months prior to the expiration of a supplier’s license. TDN’s supplier’s license was issued by the Board on December 2, 2007. A renewal application was filed on October 20, 2008, eighteen days late.

In the second matter, the Board approved a consent agreement stipulating to a $15,000 fine against Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment, Inc. d/b/a Philadelphia Park Casino and Racetrack for failing to have the minimum number of security officers on duty for the midnight shift, on four separate occasions, April 16, June 11, August 8 and August 10, 2008.

Additionally, the Board today revoked or denied three non-gaming employee registrations where the Board determined the applicant unsuitable to hold the registration under the standards and requirements of the Gaming Act. The Board also continued an emergency suspension pending disposition of criminal charges.

The Board also approved a local law enforcement grant request totaling $250,000 for the Philadelphia District Attorney. The Board has now awarded 30 grants throughout the Commonwealth totaling $3,497,890.86 under the program.

The Local Law Enforcement Grant program was established by the legislature as part of the Gaming Act and provides for up to $5 million annually to be given to local law enforcement agencies to fund programs designed to thwart the operation of illegal slot machines in the Commonwealth. Maximum grants amounts are $250,000 and the funding comes exclusively from revenues generated from licensed slot machine facilities.

Information and applications are available on the PGCB website at www.pgcb.state.pa.us.

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