Commissioner moves to sell interest in slots

Friday, Aug. 13, 2004 | 10:42 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- John Moran Jr., a Las Vegas lawyer appointed by Gov. Kenny Guinn to the Nevada Gaming Commission, moved a step closer Tuesday to shedding his interest in a company that has slot machines.

Guinn announced the appointment of Moran to the gaming commission on June 25 to succeed Augie Gurrola. A spokesman for the governor said he did not know Moran had a state gaming license at that time.

Nevada law says "no person actively engaged or having a direct pecuniary interest in gaming activities shall be a member of the commission."

Moran has 10 percent interest in Green Horizons Group, which has slot machines at five convenience stores in Henderson.

It wasn't until nearly a month after the announced appointment -- July 22 -- that Moran filed his application to sell his interest to Donald G. Andress.

The state Gaming Control Board, without discussion, Thursday recommended approval for Moran to sell his interest. Moran was not able to sit with the commission in July because of the prohibition in the law.

Rarely, if ever, has a governor named a person with an active gaming license to the Gaming Commission that oversees the industry.

The commission meets Aug. 26 to take final action on the Moran application. Moran apparently will become a member at that time. He will most likely abstain from voting on his own application, which may be one of the first items on the agenda.

The law says before a commissioner takes over he will "subscribe to the constitutional oath of office and, in addition swear that he is not actively engaged in nor does he hold a direct pecuniary interest in gaming activities." That oath has not yet been filed with the secretary of state's office.

Moran was one of a group of investors that recently received approval from the Las Vegas City Council to buy the old Sears Building at 601 Fremont St. in downtown Las Vegas. The group has promised to turn it into the cornerstone of the proposed East Fremont Entertainment District.