Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Regulator: Probe Found No Wrongdoing By Trump

Thomas Auriemma, deputy director of the state Division of Gaming Enforcement, told members of the state Casino Control Commission Tuesday his agency conducted a month-long probe into whether Trump had violated state gambling laws by threatening to use his influence to kill the deal.

No such evidence was found, Auriemma said.

City Council voted 6-3 March 27 to give Mirage the land for the casino.

Trump had contacted several members of the City Council in hopes of persuading them to vote against the land deal.

Trump labeled the deal a giveaway and criticized Mayor James Whelan and other city officials for not selling the land or structuring the deal so that the city would get a portion of the proceeds if Mirage decides to sell off the parts of the 178-acre parcel to other companies.

"If this deal is approved, I will immediately file tax proceedings asking for a major reduction of the land under the Trump Castle, based on the fact the city is giving the land away for free," he said in an interview at the time.

"We will appeal the assessment on every casino and the tax base of Atlantic City will be destroyed," he said.

Auriemma said the investigation indicated Trump had engaged in hyperbole in saying he would "destroy" the city. As for the tax appeals, he said they were up to Trump to pursue in tax court.

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