Fight erupts over $1 million fine against Las Vegas firm

Friday, Aug. 25, 2000 | 11:33 a.m.

SUN STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. -- The LaPorte County commission president and the Michigan City mayor disagree on how money from a nearly $1 million fine against Boyd Gaming Corp. of Las Vegas should be divided.

Commission President Marlow Harmon believes the money should be divided evenly between the county and the city. Michigan City Mayor Sheila Brillson thinks the city should keep all of it.

Brillson had negotiated that Boyd be fined close to a $1 million and that the money be paid to Michigan City for a variety of civic projects.

Boyd Gaming was fined $1 million on May 12 for failing to disclose a consulting contract in its Blue Chip application. The fine was a record for the state.

Brillson said the negotiations were difficult because the Indiana Gaming Commission had considered shutting down Boyd's Blue Chip Casino for several days, which would have cost the city and county because of lost tax collections.

Harmon said it would be unfair for the city to get all the money. "We're not trying to be hoggish, but here's an extra $1 million that's about to come in and we feel it should go to everybody," he said earlier this week.

The Indiana Gaming Commission levied the record fine against Las Vegas-based Boyd Gaming in May after the company failed to disclose a consulting agreement on its application to acquire the Blue Chip Casino.

The Gaming Commission will decide how to divide the money at a hearing Sept. 17.