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Prominent Nevadans help fund inauguration

Thursday, Jan. 11, 2001 | 10:54 a.m.

Three Nevada gaming interests made $100,000 donations to the committee organizing George W. Bush's Jan. 20 inauguration.

MGM Chairman Terry Lanni, Las Vegas Sands Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer William Weidner and slot machine manufacturer International Game Technology of Reno were among 140 people and firms who had contributed through Monday to the 2001 Inauguration fund, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Many of the donors, some longtime contributors to Bush and other political candidates, wrote checks for $100,000 -- the self imposed limit from the Bush-Cheney transition team.

Inauguration organizers plan to raise up to $30 million. They hope to raise about $10 million selling $2,500 tickets to three candlelight dinners next week.

Organizers hope to decrease the cost of tickets to event festivities, such as the parade and balls, by accepting private donations. That concerns watchdog groups who say wealthy executives and corporations can buy favor with donations.

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