Gamers look into Binion shooting

Friday, June 6, 1997 | 5:47 a.m.

State gaming agents want to question suspended Horseshoe Club executive Ted Binion about a reported drive-by shooting at his home this week.

"We're interested in the situation, and we'll be monitoring the police investigation," Keith Copher, chief of enforcement at the State Gaming Control Board, said today.

But Copher declined further comment, and Binion's lawyer, Richard Wright, refused comment.

The SUN reported Thursday that Binion's 2408 Palomino home was sprayed with bullets in a drive-by shooting earlier this week.

The incident was reported to Metro Police at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Metro's intelligence unit, which keeps tabs on organized crime figures, is said to be investigating the shooting.

But Intelligence Lt. Loren Stevens has refused comment, and police are keeping a tight lid on information in the case.

Sources said detectives weren't attempting to determine whether a shotgun or multiple rounds were fired at the house.

One bullet reportedly hit the front door and went into the home. A Ford Explorer parked outside the home also was struck.

Binion was present at the time of the drive-by, but no one in the home was injured, sources said.

In February, the SUN reported that Metro homicide detectives investigating the murder of reputed Chicago mob associate Herbie Blitzstein informed Binion they had received information his life was in danger.

The FBI reportedly had picked up word that Peter Caruso, a Los Angeles mob associate charged with plotting Blitzstein's Jan. 6 gangland slaying, allegedly wanted to burglarize Binion's home and kill him.

The information was passed on to homicide detectives, who informed Binion and his lawyer.

Walt Stowe, assistant FBI agent in charge of the Las Vegas office, said today the FBI doesn't believe this week's shooting at Binion's house is related to that threat.

"We just have no intelligence right now that indicates any connection," Stowe said.

Last month, the Nevada Gaming Commission suspended Binion's license indefinitely because of his continued involvement in the Horseshoe.

The Control Board also filed a complaint against Binion over his ties to Blitzstein and another other underworld figure.

Before his death, Blitzstein asserted his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination 21 times when questioned about Binion at a Gaming Commission hearing.

Concerns about Binion's business ties to reputed Kansas City mob associate Peter Ribaste also were raised in the complaint.

Binion has acknowledged loaning Ribaste $100,000 to help Ribaste buy into a Las Vegas car dealership.

The FBI has alleged Ribaste answers directly to mob bosses in Kansas City.