State says Cellini figured in casino rejection

Illinois gambling regulators Thursday elaborated in writing on their decision to pick Des Plaines as the location for the state's 10th casino license, noting that indicted businessman William Cellini still had indirect ties to the rival Waukegan proposal.

"The Cellini Group, however, continues to hold an interest in a casino awarded to the Waukegan applicant," wrote Illinois Gaming Board Chairman Aaron Jaffe. "Indeed, if Waukegan is ever selected, Michael Pizzuto, a longtime associate of Mr. Cellini who purchased the collective Cellini interests for $32,450, must pay the Cellini interests the balance of their prior costs in the Waukegan project, an amount in excess of $600,000. The fact that the Cellini-Pizzuto agreement provides that the payment of prior costs may be disallowed does not abate our concern."

The decision also reiterated that Rosemont's reputation was a major factor in knocking it out of contention. At its public announcement Dec. 22, board member Eugene Winkler alleged that "organized crime still controls much of the life of the village of Rosemont."

Rosemont officials strongly deny the charge.

The written decision was issued per gambling board rules that require it to specify in writing when it picks a casino location that would give the state less upfront money than another proposal. Trilliant Gaming, which submitted the proposal for a Rosemont location, far outbid the Des Plaines proposal, made by Midwest Gaming, LLC.

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Related documents</h2> <ul class="morePdf"> <li><a href="/pdf/cellini.pdf">Gaming Board's written opinion </a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>