Former Venetian exec takes post at N.M. resort

Friday, Sept. 16, 2005 | 11:11 a.m.

A former Venetian casino executive who figured prominently in a contest-rigging scheme at the Las Vegas resort in 2002 has been named the top executive of the Inn of the Mountain Gods casino in Mescalero, N.M.

Brian Parrish, who in July was appointed acting chief operating officer of the casino and ski resort in south central New Mexico's Sacramento Mountains, was appointed the permanent COO on Thursday.

Parrish took the role on a temporary basis following the resignation of Michael French in July.

Parrish and French were among four former Venetian executives who were fired in connection with a contest-rigging scheme that ultimately led to the Venetian paying $1 million in fines and expenses to the Nevada Gaming Commission in 2004.

The four executives rigged drawings or were aware of the scam to offset losses experienced by high-rollers at the property, with one boss hiding preselected winning tickets up their sleeves when they announced who won a luxury car and casino chips.

Parrish, vice president of marketing at the Venetian from 2000 to 2002, was vice president of hotel operations and regional marketing of Boyd Gaming Corp., from 1999 to 2000.

The Mescalero Apache Tribe, which owns and operates the Inn of the Mountain Gods, was aware of the scheme that got Parrish and French fired in Las Vegas, but felt their involvement was offset by their experience in the industry.