Black Book set to be enlarged

Wednesday, Nov. 17, 1999 | 10:53 a.m.

The Nevada Gaming Commission will consider adding two men to the state's "Black Book" Thursday.

First to be considered will be Michael Joseph Balsamo, an accused slot cheat arrested by the FBI in Arizona in September. Balsamo currently faces charges of working with nine other people to rig slot machines across the country, a scheme investigators say netted millions of dollars.

Balsamo has been in New Jersey's Black Book since 1984. He was nominated by the Nevada Gaming Control Board in August.

The second nomination will be that of Fred Pascente, a former Chicago police officer whose first Black Book hearing in May was delayed to allow the submission of additional evidence.

Pascente pleaded guilty to a single count of felony mail fraud in 1995, involving an insurance claim scheme. But in its nomination, the Control Board cited Pascente's alleged organized crime ties as grounds for his inclusion in the Black Book.

Pascente's attorney, John Momot, argued in May there was little evidence of organized crime ties, and several commissioners expressed doubts over whether Pascente's crime warranted such harsh sanctions.

Momot is expected to argue on Pascente's behalf at Thursday's meeting.

The Black Book is the official listing of people who are not permitted to enter any gaming establishment in Nevada. Black Book members who enter casinos are subject to arrest, and the casino is subject to heavy fines.