Brief: Owners still talking with Gaming Board

Tuesday, Jan. 12, 1999 | 11:27 a.m.

"They're still in the process of putting together something that everybody can live with," said Mark Fierro, a Sunrise spokesman.

In December, the Board declined to give Sunrise owners Mike and Rhonda Mona a gaming license, citing associations with a telemarketer who has spent time in federal prison, and with others who have had brushes with federal authorities. Board members also questioned a past Mona run-in with the police and some questionable accounting entries.

The board was about to deny the Monas' application when their lawyers persuaded the members to refer the matter back to their investigators.

The application is not on the board's January agenda, and Fierro declined to speculate when the matter will be heard. However, he said the casino will eventually be licensed.

"We're confident of it," said Fierro.

Meanwhile, construction continues on the 75,000 square-foot casino, which will include 750 slots, table games, Keno and a sports book. The Sunrise's 305-room hotel and 239-space RV park -- which have both been open since 1991 -- continue to operate, said Fierro.