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Las Vegan nominated for Black Book

Tuesday, June 2, 1998 | 12:02 p.m.

The state Gaming Control Board will consider the nomination of Michael DiBari, 64, of Las Vegas, at the panel's scheduled Wednesday meeting.

In 1986, DiBari arranged for Michael Cuozzo, 65, to illegally get a rack of dollar tokens that Cuozzo later turned in for cash, according to GCB records.

Both men reputedly had ties to since-imprisoned New York crime boss John Gotti, according to board investigators.

Affidavits say DiBari stole as much as $1,000 a day from the Continental, five days a week, between August and December 1987, according to investigators.

In January 1990, U.S. District Judge Philip Pro sentenced both men to 46 months in federal prison.

DiBari was ordered to pay restitution of $4,267.25 and a fine of $10,000. He was released in 1994.

More recently, Cuozzo was convicted by a Las Vegas jury in connection with a loan scam that netted $250,000, according to GCB records.

Board agents declined to discuss whether Cuozzo also is facing nomination to the Black Book, which currently has 31 names listed. The state Gaming Commission can either accept or reject the nominations.

Eight names were added to the book in 1997, with agents investigating the backgrounds of other convicted felons for their potential listing.

In May, the control board nominated convicted felon Peter "P.J." Ribaste of Las Vegas for the book. Ribaste, who had reputed ties to Kansas City, Mo., organized crime figures has until June 18 to request a hearing to contest the nomination.

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