Trump drops plans for French Lick

Kimberly Hefling

Thursday, March 3, 2005 | 9:42 a.m.

FRENCH LICK, Ind. -- Donald Trump was going to be this community's saving grace, reviving a gambling industry that once drew movie stars to southern Indiana to play games of chance and sample local springs for their healing powers.

Trump had connections, star power and billions -- everything needed, it seemed, to help restore struggling Orange County, Indiana, to its heyday.

But like those stars before him, The Donald has left French Lick, scrapping his plans for a $108 million casino.

"I don't like it at all," Mary Gilliatt, 76, of neighboring West Baden, said after state officials announced Trump was no longer the man for the job. "I think he could work everything out. He's got plenty of money, and he's sure well known."

Trump also is in bankruptcy court and owes Indiana money for another casino. Those facts prompted new Gov. Mitch Daniels to order a review of the Orange County casino deal after he took office in January.

On Wednesday, state gaming director Ernest Yelton told local officials that Trump Hotels and Casino Resorts Inc. had ended negotiations.

Trump officials cited a recent state tax court decision that the company owed $18 million in back taxes for its casino along Lake Michigan in Gary and the potential expansion of gambling elsewhere in the state for its decision.