Reno, San Diego men eyed for Black Book

Wednesday, July 14, 1999 | 11:52 a.m.

A San Diego bookmaker and a Reno slot cheat have been nominated for addition to the Nevada "Black Book" of persons excluded from casinos because of their crimes or criminal associations.

On Thursday the Gaming Control Board will consider the nominations of Peter Jay Lenz of San Diego and John Edward Mealey Jr. of Reno. The nominations must be approved by both the board and the Gaming Commission to take effect.

Investigators say Lenz has connections to Richard "Richie the Fixer" Perry, a convicted sporting event fixer added to the Black Book in 1992.

Lenz has at least two federal convictions for bookmaking activities in California and Arizona, the last in 1993. He was arrested in Las Vegas last year and charged with possession of a firearm, which is illegal for a felon. Those charges were later dismissed.

Perry's connections to UNLV basketball players led to the resignation of then-coach Jerry Tarkanian in 1989.

Mealey has numerous convictions for possession of slot machine cheating devices. Mealey pleaded guilty to a new charge of slot rigging in May and awaits sentencing in Washoe County court.

State regulations allow the addition of anyone to the Black Book who has felony convictions, or whose "notorious and unsavory reputation" makes them a threat to legalized gambling. Members of the book are prohibited from entering any casino in the state and face arrest if caught on casino property.

If added, Lenz and Mealey would be the 33rd and 34th people currently in the book.