Letter: Theft ring will herald hard line by casinos

Tuesday, June 3, 1997 | 11:32 a.m.

Twenty-nine El Cortez employees were arrested for involvement with a stolen goods ring. Their chief of security Frederick Balmer and executive manager Dan Mahoney were among those arrested.

Logic and police intelligence say:

n Other employees knew about this but kept silent.

n Other employees benefitted or were indirectly involved but enough for arrest.

n Undoubtedly, some of the arrested employees stole from locals, tourists or the El Cortez itself.

However, there is a greater issue and shame involved, because the owner and president of El Cortez is Jackie Gaughan. Bar none, Gaughan is the best casino owner in the state, most popular and best liked. Further, he is among those casino owners who treat their employees good.

Yet, in spite of all Gaughan's goodness, he was not immune to this employee treachery. Therefor, that Gaughan's employees did this to him is despicable. The employees' disrespect and dishonoring of Gaughan is more reprehensible than the crime.

Accordingly, even the great, good Jackie Gaughan must realize, unfortunately, many employees consider goodness a weakness, an incentive to disrespect and license for criminal activity.

Because of the admiration for and status of Gaughan, this event more than any other will inexorably usher in a new "hard line" by all casinos in dealing with employees.

Clyde Dinkins

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