Nevada regulators to seize funds from closed Henderson casino

Friday, Jan. 21, 2000 | 10:58 a.m.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board is moving to seize $19,600 held in a pre-paid tax account by the defunct Alystra casino in Henderson, settling a complaint filed by the board last March.

The control board filed the complaint after the property closed in the summer of 1998, supposedly to allow the property to be remodeled, but never reopened. By failing to reopen, the casino violated state gaming regulations that require a license holder to reopen at least one day per month to keep its license in good standing. The casino stopped paying license fees in December 1998.

The board fined the casino $19,600 in September 1999, the amount of money held in the Alystra's prepaid tax fund. The board also ruled at that time that the Alystra's license had been forfeited.

On Jan. 12, the clerk of the Clark County District Court signed off on the board's application for summary judgment. Once this judgment is served on casino owner John Connors, the board will seize the funds in the account.

Connors is the brother of tennis star Jimmy Connors. John Connors filed for personal bankruptcy in July; however, because the funds are held by the corporation, they can be seized by the control board.

Connors' bankruptcy petition claimed $19 million in debts.