Thursday, March 11, 2004 | 11:13 a.m.
CARSON CITY -- A 28-count complaint has been filed by the state Gaming Control Board against Albert D. Seeno Jr., who holds interests in five Nevada casinos, accusing him of associating with and catering to convicted felons.
The board also says Seeno, owner of a construction company, knowingly destroyed a habitat of the federally threatened species California red-legged frog during a construction project in California. That action, said the board, "reflected negatively upon the reputation of the state of Nevada."
Seeno's two sons, who also hold gaming licenses, are accused of associating with felons and with members of the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club in California. The club, according to the California Department of Justice, is the "most feared outlaw motorcycle gang in the world."
Seeno Jr. is licensed through a trust for 15.4 percent in Peppermill Casinos Inc. that owns the Rainbow Club and Casino in Henderson, the Peppermill in Reno, Western Village in Sparks and two casinos in Wendover.
The Seeno family has until March 31 to answer the complaints and ask for a hearing before the state Gaming Commission. If the commission finds state regulations were violated, it would have the authority to suspend, limit or revoke the licenses and to impose fines up to a maximum of $100,000 for each count.
In the case of Seeno Jr., that could be a maximum $2.8 million. David Seeno could be hit with a $200,000 penalty and Albert Seeno III could face a $400,000 fine.
Frank Schreck, Las Vegas attorney for the Seenos, could not be reached for comment.
The complaint, drafted by Deputy Attorney General Charles T. Meredith and filed March 3, says Seeno Jr. knew Victor Bustos, whom he considered an "extended family member" and who continues to work for the Seeno construction firm.
Bustos received a one-year suspended sentence on his guilty plea in February 2001 to using the telephone in August 1997 to help distribute 20-40 grams of methamphetamine.
The complaint said Bustos has been a guest in the skybox of Seeno Jr. at Oakland Raider football games; Bustos has received complimentary room, food and beverages at the Reno Peppermill Casino; and he has been an invited guest to the Christmas party of Seeno, even after he pleaded guilty.
Seeno also loaned Bustos $27,000 for attorney fees and has not required any portion of the loan to be paid back, the complaint said.
In talking to state gaming agents, Seeno admitted he knew he was not supposed to associate with underworld figures or convicted felons.
Seeno also associated with Arthur Carasis, a convicted felon who has an extensive criminal history in California. Carasis was a member of the Richmond, Calif., chapter of the Hell's Angels. He was convicted of false use of a contractor's license and also of distributing methamphetamine.
The state complaint said Carasis was a guest in the Oakland Raider box six months after he pleaded guilty to three felony charges involving misuse of a contractor's license. Carasis was also invited to the Christmas parties of Seeno.
Seeno is also accused of associating with James Couchman, a convicted felon in California.
Seeno is president and owner of West Coast Home Buildings, which was building a housing project in Pittsburg, Calif. He told an employee to drain ponds on the site, knowing that the California red-legged frogs, a federally threatened species, were in the ponds, the Control Board said.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of violating the federal law and was fined more than $1 million. He also paid $550,000 in civil penalties in Contra Costa County for violation of California regulations.
The complaint said that Seeno, while under investigation for a 2002 application to buy an interest in the Silversmith Hotel Casino in Wendover, did not disclose to Nevada agents that he had been questioned both by federal and California authorities in connection with the red-legged frog violation.
Both sons are accused of associating with Bustos and Carasis. Seeno III told the board he considers Bustos to be a part of the family and does not want to sever his ties.
David Seeno said he still associates with Bustos and he told Control Board agents in April 2003, "In my opinion, you shouldn't judge me on who I hang out with."
The two sons are beneficiaries of trusts of their parents that hold 5.1 percent of Peppermill Casinos Inc. and 10.3 percent of Wendover Casinos Inc. They are also licensed at the Montego Bay Resort Casino in Wendover.
archive
