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Lawmakers Want Board To Revoke Barden's License

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Jul 14, 2008 6:54 pm US/Eastern

Lawmakers Want Board To Revoke Barden's License

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― Lawmakers from the house and senate want to revoke the gaming license of PITG Gaming and Don Barden.

Barden announced last week he was giving up majority ownership in Pittsburgh's Majestic Star Casino due to financial problems.

An investment firm run by Chicago billionaire Neil Bluhm would take over.

But that's not apparently good enough for state lawmakers.

State representative Mike Turzai told KDKA's Harold Hayes that he thinks the application process should start from scratch.

"I think there have been significant problems with the Barden license int he first place," said Turzai.  "I don't think you should be able to, on your own, sidestep the public vetting of an application process by coming up with a new controlling ownership.  I think the license should be revoked and I think that a trusteeship should be put into place and that the gaming board needs to operate this while they do their due diligence publicly and vent it open for all applicants."

Senator Jane Orie, of McCandless, says she plans to release a letter to the board, calling for a new licensing process for casino because it is no longer the owner to whom the license was issued.

Senator Jim Ferlo is working on the letter with her.

Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato remains positive about slots in Pittsburgh.

"I'm optimistic that there will be a solvent owner because the license has value but I can't comment on who these new investors are but I've asked the gaming board to give us specific answers on who these new investors are and are they going to live up to the commitments that were made and approved last year.  We need to have that confirmed in writing -- that includes the money for the new arena."

Construction on the North Shore casino has been stalled for two weeks due to a lack of funding in place.

Stay with KDKA for more.

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