Louisiana seeking millions from former casino owner

Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2000 | 8:32 a.m.

Robert Guidry, a former poker buddy of Edwards, received about $73 million in cash from the sale of his 72 percent interest in the Treasure Chest to its minority owner, Boyd Gaming Corp., in October 1997.

A year after the sale, Guidry pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to commit extortion and testified against Edwards under a plea agreement with prosecutors.

Guidry testified that he gave $1.5 million in payoffs to Edwards, his son Stephen Edwards and their friend, Andrew Martin, in exchange for help in obtaining the license for the Kenner riverboat casino.

As part of his plea agreement, Guidry has paid $3.5 million in penalties, including a $3 million federal forfeiture, a $250,000 fine and $250,000 in restitution for potential victims. He faces up to five years in prison, but has not been sentenced.

The state has filed suit in state and federal court against Guidry. Both actions have been on hold until now because of Edwards' trial. The state is asking for all profits obtained by Guidry, the Edwardses and Martin.

Guidry's attorney, Arthur "Buddy" Lemann, said the state's case is "totally absurd and unreasonable and everything else."

Guidry did not harm the state because the Treasure Chest paid the state the same in taxes as any other casino owner would have, Lemann said.