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StumbleMan agrees to join AA, gets gaming license
Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010 | 4:50 p.m.
A Las Vegas man received a state gaming license Thursday after he agreed to give up drinking and join Alcoholics Anonymous.
The Nevada Gaming Commission voted 3-2 to allow John Hicks Pohorsky to hold 50 percent ownership with his brother, Joseph, in 15 slot machines at Scooter’s Pub in Las Vegas. He is a descendent of Marion Hicks, who owned the Thunderbird Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip.
The commission Thursday warned Pohorsky that any more scrapes with the law would result in the loss of his license, which was limited to two years.
Commissioners were most concerned about Pohorsky's actions while riding in the back seat of a taxi in Las Vegas, when he became angry over the charge on the meter. Officials said he leaned over the seat and started choking the driver, who suffered a chipped tooth.
Commissioner Dr. Tony Alamo told Pohorsky, “You need to stop drinking. You have poor impulse control.” Pohorsky said he only has one or two beers now and has taken an anger control course.
Commissioner John Moran said he didn’t think Pohorsky “has seen the light.” And he said Pohorsky would “not get a second chance.”
He has also been accused of failing to comply with a law enforcement officer and being involved in an incident at a bar in Reno.
Voting against the application were Commission Chairman Peter Bernhard and member Joseph Brown.
Bernhard questioned Pohorsky about the incident at the Little Waldorf bar in Reno in April. Pohorsky said he and his friends were coming from a football game at UNR, but Bernhard noted that football season was over by April.
Pohorsky amended his statement, saying it was probably a UNR basketball game, but Bernhard again noted the discrepancy, saying basketball season is over by then. After the commission granted the license, Bernhard said he hoped that no one would get injured at Scooter’s Pub.
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You have got to be kidding me!!!! Everyone in this friggin city is paid off!
love this
exchanging one sin for another
only in Vegas
Seriously, "Bernhard said he hoped that no one gets injured at Scooter's Pub", Really???!!!
If anybody gets hurt at this man's hands the Nevada Gaming Commission will be sued into oblivion........excuse me, I mean every person on that Board, individually, should be sued.
How stupid could this be? I will only have two beers and attend AA....... Isn't that like having sex for virginity sakes?
I can only hope there won't be a second chance...
The Gaming Commission and the Gaming Board have totally relaxed their standards, and remain totally SELECTIVE in their persecution. These Boards are a JOKE! and this action further proves it.
Alomo is a Dr and should realize that for someone of the age of 50 who is an alcoholic isnt just going to quit drinking by going to AA. So if this guy is in one of his bars and gets drunk and beats someone up, is the gaming board liable?
Gaming fines Caesars because someone walked on one of their gaming tables yet they license someone that chocked a taxi driver and has problems in other peoples bars and a drinking problem.
What part is this is NOT making sense?
I'm shocked!!! Shocked to find out there is a double standard in issuing permits & licenses in "Sin City!" If the truth be known, probably half of the board are drunks. Look at the mayor of LV!!! His bilbous nose ought to tell you something! And how about CC commissioner "Tom" Collins (an appropriate name for him) the drunken thug who believes the law applies to others. He settles disputes with violence, drives drunk, smashes into parked vehicles, then is treated with kid gloves by the NLVPD. Yet, the morons in my district vote this low-life bottom-feeder into office. Who was it that said we get the government we deserve?
I know I will not be patronizing Scooters any time soon.
Why is this dirtbag not in a cell instead of having a gaming license? We know the city is corrupt and run by goons but this is a little over the top don't you think?
Scooters....what a gay name for a pub to begin with
They did the right thing is cutting the guy a break..every person deserves a second chance. He deserves an opportunity to make a living.
ronv; hes a drunk! you dont join AA and have a couple of beers, my man. its all about integrity and he has none. no break, no $200 for passing go, no license. can any one name the 3 morons who voted for this?
Dear Nv Gaming Commission.
I have been drinking for 30 years and if I go to AA, can I get a gaming liscence too?
Gee, I dont drink and have no domestic disputes nor have any criminal record of anykind, so like... where the hell is my first chance obtaining a gaming license ?
Sleezeballs like this that tend to run their place like the Crazy Horse with extortion cover charges or breaking bones in fear shouldn't have a FIRST chance with all the incidents that were alcohol related, especially lying to the board on spectating a UNR football or basketball game excuse when both seasons have been over with.
Everyone makes mistakes and fortunately we live in the United States where people get second chances. All of you that are asking "where's my gaming license", why don't you go open a business and apply for one. Nobody is stopping you. Why judge someone based off an article that is produced by the media anyway. We know that the medias job is to make a story sound as bad as possible. Why not focus on something important like the shady situation with the Costco shooting? If you think everyone that has a gaming license is squeaky clean then you are sadly mistaken. Relax and let this guy get his chance.
The Nevada Gaming Commission is a perfect example of in your face legalized organized crime.
You really think that it was worse when the mob ruled 'Vegas?
Obviously this guy is serious about making a go of his new business and serious about turning things around if he is willing to make such a commitment. I'm gonna hope for the best on this one!! Good luck, Johnie!