Control Board: Binion not fit for new license

Friday, May 16, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Though he has stayed free of drugs for a year, Ted Binion was unable to persuade the State Gaming Control Board that he deserves another chance in the casino industry.

The Control Board, which complimented Binion on his drug-free life, found Thursday that he has not kept his part of an agreement to stay out of the Horseshoe Club's operations during his one-year suspension.

The board voted 3-0 to ask the Nevada Gaming Commission to deny Binion his key employee and shareholder licenses.

Binion's lawyer, Richard Wright, reacted angrily after the vote, insisting his client had abided by the agreement and that the Control Board wasn't playing fair.

"He could have been the pope, and they would have recommended against him," said Wright, who called Binion the "most tested man in America."

Binion's other lawyer, Mark Ferrario, said during the hearing that Binion had tested free of drugs 160 times during the past year.

But it was not Binion's ability to avoid using cocaine and marijuana that caused concern among board members.

A just-discovered affidavit by Binion's sister, Brenda Michael, in which she accused her brother of threatening her life and cutting off her daughter's salary at the Horseshoe, played a key role in the board's recommendation.

Wright charged after the hearing that the Control Board was using the two-page affidavit as a "smokescreen" in a vendetta to keep Binion out of the Horseshoe.

Michael, who lives in Amarillo, Texas, filed the sworn statement Feb. 21 in District Court in Billings, Mont., to explain her difficulties in trying to settle the estate of her late mother, Teddy Jane Binion.

"He (Binion) has threatened my life and been very verbally abusive," Michael said in a copy of the affidavit. "His actions have placed considerable stress on myself and my family. ..."

Michael added that Binion left an "abusive" message on her daughter Mindy's answering machine Feb. 12.

"He further threatened to cut off her salary and income flowing from properties and positions associated with the Horseshoe Club in Las Vegas," Michael said.

The Control Board subpoenaed a copy of the phone message.

After being admonished by Control Board Chairman Bill Bible, Binion apologized for using "vulgar" language in the message, but he insisted he was not trying to influence the Horseshoe's operation.

Binion said he remains on good terms with his 32-year-old niece and has not cut her out of his will.

He also denied threatening his sister's life.

But he acknowledged he did vow to cut the salary of Michael and his other sister, Becky Behnen, if he got back in the Horseshoe.

The entire Binion family has been feuding over the family businesses in recent months.

Behnen has gone to court to wrestle away control of the Horseshoe Club from her brother, Jack Binion, who runs the downtown casino.