Indiana casino regulator quits

Thursday, Jan. 16, 2003 | 9:47 a.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Less than six months after stepping down as Indiana's chief casino regulator, Jack Thar has joined a private law firm where his practice will focus on gambling interests, The Indianapolis Star reported.

Gambling opponents called Thar's new job at Ice Miller "inappropriate" and criticized state laws that allow officials to become advocates for the industry they formerly regulated.

"It's a totally inappropriate arrangement. I just think it's very unfortunate that the law allows people to move immediately from the role of being a regulator to being an advocate for that industry," Richard Hamilton of the Indiana Coalition Against Legalized Gambling told The Star.

Thar, who resigned in September after nine years as executive director of the Indiana Gaming Commission, is the second former state official within six months to take a job with ties to the gambling industry.

State Rep. Michael Smith, R-Rensselaer, resigned shortly after winning re-election in November to become director of the Indiana Casino Association.

The list of Indiana lawmakers-turned-lobbyist also includes former Democratic House Speakers Phillip Bainbridge and Michael Phillips.