Strip casino applicant grilled

David Strow

Wednesday, March 7, 2001 | 11:25 a.m.

San Francisco businessman Luke Brugnara faced tough questioning this morning by state Gaming Control Board members about allegations he made death threats to a former girlfriend and a San Francisco city government attorney.

The Gaming Board, meeting in Las Vegas, is considering Brugnara's application for a non-restricted gaming license to allow him to reopen the Silver City Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. Its recommendation will be considered by the Nevada Gaming Commission.

Brugnara has said in the past he intends to demolish the property and construct a San Francisco-themed megaresort in its place.

But those plans appeared to be in jeopardy this morning due to numerous issues uncovered by Control Board investigators.

Police reports contain allegations that Brugnara left messages on a San Francisco girlfriend's answering machine last year threatening to kill her. The woman, who Brugnara said was probably the mother of his child, later retracted the claim he had made a death threat in an affidavit filed with the Control Board.

Brugnara also denied making threatening statements, but Control Board members did not appear to be convinced. They pointed out Brugnara is making child support payments to the woman and that she may have retracted the statement in order not to lose that income.

Board members also focused on a restraining order obtained against Brugnara by the San Francisco attorney, who claims Brugnara made a slashing gesture across his throat in court and allegedly said "you're dead." The incident allegedly occured during a court proceeding over action the city was taking against Brugnara alleging code violations at a Brugnara property.

Brugnara denied this allegation, saying he was merely loosening his tie. He called the charge politically motivated.

Brugnara also may face questioning about a lawsuit filed against him last year in Las Vegas by real estate brokerage Colliers International, which claims Brugnara companies failed to pay $709,000 in real estate commissions.