Crime pays; Dream-ing big

Donald Trump granted executive clemency to four convicted criminals, three of whom had—surprise!—casino connections. Steve Wynn‘s money man Michael Milken benefited from the support not of the tainted Wynn but of Sheldon Adelson. (Mirage Resorts was financed with junk bonds, you may recall.) Former San Francisco 49ers owner Edward DeBartolo not only failed to report being shaken down for a bribe by then-Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards (D), he paid the bribe (and got a casino license in return). Yesterday’s DeBartolo reprieve should embolden crooked politicians everywhere, as should that of ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D), the man who ratcheted the state’s top tax rate for casinos to a kleptocratic 75% and tried to sell Barack Obama‘s vacated senate seat. He also tried to extort $100,000 from a racetrack owner in exchange for extending horse racing subsidies. Whatta guy.

‘‘He’s been in jail for seven years over a phone call where nothing happens—over a phone call which he shouldn’t have said what he said, but it was braggadocio, you would say,” Trump bloviated. ‘‘I would think that there have been many politicians—I’m not one of them, by the way—that have said a lot worse over the telephone.’’ We’re solidly with Illinois’ five Republican congressmen, who opposed the commutation on the grounds that it’s imperative to take ‘‘a strong stand against pay-to-play politics.’’ The Trump message to politicians and others with power over gaming licenses is, in Blagojevich‘s immortal words, “you don’t just give it away for nothing.’’

Speaking of crooked politicians, we reported yesterday that Massachusetts state Rep. David Nangle (D) was arrested for “a systematic pattern of theft and fraud.” This included allegedly pilfering his campaign coffers of 70 dimes to underwrite his gambling habit. (We can see the ‘diminished capacity’ defense being formulated already.) Although Internet gambling is illegal in the Bay State, Nangle did it anyway, as well as patronizing casinos in Rhode Island, Connecticut and his home state. Yesterday’s 19 federal counts have been upped to 28, wire fraud, bank fraud, making a false statement to a bank and filing false tax returns. Nangle has been ordered by a judge to stop gambling. They’d better confiscate his computer, then.

Nangle’s misdeeds date back to at least 2009. They supposedly include fraudulently renting cars to drive to the casinos (Nangle did nothing by half measures, it would appear) and blaming his bad credit on his ex-wife.  The defaulted loans in question were apparently spent on gambling, too. Reported the Boston Globe, “Authorities said he reported consulting work he never did, claimed phony business expenses and fake charitable contributions, and inflated mileage and commuting expenses.” After stiffing a contractor for work on Nangle’s home, the House Ethics Committee member allegedly made it up by awarding the individual “lucrative,” state-funded work. Nangle told a confederate he would “take the blame if anything happens.” We’d say something happened.

* There’s a new, 21-story hotel planned for the Las Vegas Strip by Dream Hotel Group, in conjunction with Contour and Shopoff Realty Investments. The 450-room Dream hotel would have seven “nightlife and dining venues,” three “feature” restaurants, a casino, plus an “epic” rooftop pool, all catering to a “luxury lifestyle.” Construction is set to begin in a year, with opening planned for 2023, by which time we’ll probably still be waiting for Resorts World Las Vegas. This solves the mystery of why 38 acres across from Mandalay Bay went back on the market. Our surmise that they would become Allegiant Stadium overflow parking was off by a mile.

Dream seems to have all the money in the bank, thanks to Contour and Shopoff, but it solicits investors on its Web site—and is more of a franchisor than a developer—and we can’t help but wonder how it’s going to amortize a 21-story tower with only 450 suites. (We guess that’s where the casino comes in.) Those room rates are going to be astronomical. According to the official announcement, DLR Group‘s design “will feature a diverse mix of dramatic venues distributed vertically throughout the composition roof decks and terraces of the hotel design. The undulating contemporary design will feature a lustrous glass and metal façade, boasting stylistic details such as radiused corners, spacious double-height terraces, oversized windows and a unique aerodynamic character influenced by its context.”

Why a new hotel and why now? Contour CEO David Daneshforooz says “There is no shortage of mega-resorts in Las Vegas, but there is a lack of boutique hotels that offer a more intimate curated experience.” Unless you’re The Cromwell, small hasn’t been beautiful in Las Vegas for a long time. Added backer William Shopoff, “this location won’t just be close to the action—it will be the heart of it, especially with the [Las Vegas] Raiders games within a few miles.” Dream PR claims the location is “two short blocks” from Allegiant Stadium, except that anybody who’s lived in Sin City knows there’s no such thing as a “short” block in Clark County. Expect a bit of a hike on game days. However, high rollers can take comfort in the fact that Dream will be “adjacent” to the private-jet terminal at McCarran International Airport. So will this be the next Lucky Dragon or the new Cromwell? Only time will tell.

* If your Vegas visit wasn’t complete without dinner at Olives, we have glad tidings for you. The Todd English eatery, late of Bellagio (where it made way for—shudder!—Spago) will turn up again at the Virgin Hotel when it reopens. A Hugh Jackman coffee house will also be part of the new Virginity. In our opinion, if you really want fine dining, then head Downtown, for a more authentic (and varied) experience.

Jottings: The good news for Macao is that casinos are expected to reopen tomorrow. The bad news is that it comes too late to save a February in which revenues are expected to plummet 80% … British betting exchange Matchbox has had its license suspended, for undisclosed reasons … Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao awarded $34 million in federal grants to five Nevada airports, including some diñero to North Las Vegas for an unspecified study. Reno got $31 million-plus “to fund rebuilding a runway and a taxiway and [for] repairing runway lighting” … Alaska may finally become gambling-friendly. Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) is exploring the possibilities of a lottery and sports betting … Colorado‘s Limited Gaming Control Commission will issue sports-betting licenses Feb. 20. As many as seven could be handed out … Now there are six: Oklahoma‘s Quapaw Nation has joined five other tribes that are dickering with Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) … Illinois sports betting will be up and running in time for March Madness, promises Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D). We’re going to hold him to that.