Former gaming official arrested in corruption probe

Monday, April 21, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Francis J. Muska, 47, was charged with accepting a gratuity as a public official as former chairman of the Gaming Policy Board.

Muska had meetings with A. Robert Zeff, owner of the Shoreline Star dog track, prior to the board's vote on whether to conduct a background check on Zeff, according to state police.

On April 24, 1996, immediately after the vote against a background check, Zeff and Muska flew to Las Vegas, where Muska received a complimentary stay with reservations made in Zeff's name at the Holiday Inn Casino-Boardwalk, police said.

Muska also got a complimentary stay at Bally's Hotel in Las Vegas. Muska resigned the day the trip came to light, and Gov. John G. Rowland called for an investigation.

The charge states Muska knowingly accepted gifts and benefits valued at more than $50, right after voting in a way that benefited Zeff.

He was released on a promise to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on May 1. He could get up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine.

Police are continuing their investigation, as part of a corruption probe into whether Zeff influenced state officials into not requiring a background check.

Zeff, 62, was arrested June 25 on charges he interfered with an investigation when police tried to serve a search warrant on his Westport home. Police said he threw two bags full of audio cassette tapes over a fence in his yard as they arrived. Authorities have transcribed the tapes but have not released any information about the recordings.

Zeff's dog track, which opened in November, 1995, is in federal bankruptcy court.