Brief: Black Gaming Board leader resigns

Tuesday, Jan. 5, 1999 | 11:25 a.m.

The five-member panel is overseeing the three casinos planned for Detroit, including resorts planned by MGM Grand and Circus Circus of Las Vegas.

Appointed by Gov. John Engler to the board seven months ago, Holley cited the demands of his ministry and other work in his resignation letter, Gaming Board spokesman Bob Nelson told the Detroit Free Press.

The departure leaves the board without a Detroiter or a black person among its five members, who will license casinos and draw up rules governing them in the majority-black city.

Engler will pick a successor for Holley. John Truscott, a spokesman for the governor, said Engler is committed to diversity on the board but would not say whether Holley's replacement will be from Detroit.

"Certainly we seek out diversity, but first and foremost is the person's qualifications," he told the Free Press. "With these appointments, the requirements are very strict. You can't have any financial interests or any dealings with anyone who may have anything to do with a casino."

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