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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 17th, 2007

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
P.O. Box 69060
Harrisburg, PA 17106-9060

CONTACT

Doug Harbach or Richard McGarvey (717) 346-8321

PGCB Revokes Licenses of Four Individuals

Three Approved for Mount Airy Audit Committee

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced the revocation of permits or registrations of four individuals. License revocations are the most severe penalty undertaken by the Board against the holder of any type of gaming license.

Revocations were approved by the Board for:

  • Brian Lee Baker, a gaming employee permit at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs effective October 2, 2007
  • Frank Bergamino, a non-gaming employee registration at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs effective October 2, 2007
  • Monica L. Abbate, a non-gaming employee registration at Presque Isle Downs effective October 17, 2007
  • Christopher P. Cote, a non-gaming employee registration at Presque Isle Downs effective October 17, 2007

Under its duty to protect the public through the regulation and policing of all activities involving gaming, the Board acted to revoke these permits and registrations only after the Office of Enforcement Counsel investigated any matters involving either transgressions of the law or the Gaming Act, leading to complaints being filed against the individuals.

Board regulations require that notice be given to those individuals, who then had the opportunity to respond.

The revocation process employed in these instances is indicative of the gradual shift in function from licensing to enforcement which the board is undertaking as more licensed casinos begin operation.

In addition to the process taken in these four revocations, the Board can also seek an emergency suspension of any license for an individual when certain events require immediate action, and when traditional notice and hearing procedures may not be speedy enough to ensure the public’s protection. In those cases, the Executive Director may temporarily suspend a license until hearings can be held.

In any instance, a licensee facing revocation can pursue an appeal with the state courts.

In other business the Board received an update from the PGCB Director of Gaming Operation Kevin Hayes outlining progress of on-site preparations at Mount Airy Lodge and Casino. Hayes informed the Board that most of the regulatory requirements have been met and the facility should be able to schedule test night in the near future. The Board also approved an Independent Audit Committee Charter for Mount Airy as well as a three member Independent Audit Committee. Those members are:

  • Robert Peloquin of Fairfield, PA, a retired federal prosecutor and gaming executive;
  • Bradford Smith of Cinnaminson, NJ who is former Chairman and CEO of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission; and,
  • Barbara Lang of Galloway Township, NJ, a certified public accountant who has also served in management and audit committee positions at New Jersey gaming facilities.

For more information about the PA Gaming Control Board visit our website at http://www.pgcb.state.pa.us

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