Ilitch VP takes over as agent of affiliates pursuing New York casino

Documents filed with the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth indicate John Kotlar, Vice President of Tax Affairs at Detroit-based Ilitch Holdings, Inc. has replaced attorney William D. Serwer as Resident Agent of:

• Gateway Casino Resorts, L.L.C.
• Gateway Holdings, L.L.C.

Originally organized in September 2003 as Empire Ventures, L.L.C.; one month later Serwer changed the entity’s name to Empire Associates, L.L.C.; and then in January 2004 he changed the entity’s name to Gateway Casino Resorts, L.L.C.

Serwer remains as Resident Agent of Gateway Manager, Inc., an assumed affiliate, which has yet to file a 2009 Annual Report.

Serwer, primary business attorney for gambling promoter Michael J. Malik, Sr., and his numerous affiliates, has been Resident Agent for dozens of Malik affiliates dating back to the early 1990s.

Malik and Mrs. Marian Ilitch are reportedly the principals behind the Gateway affiliates which were organized to pursue casino development opportunities with the Shinnecock Indian Nation on Long Island, NY. Gateway had pursued opportunities to manage future gambling operations at New York's Aqueduct Racetrack.

Mirroring the Gateway changes, Kotlar also recently replaced Serwer as Resident Agent of several other Malik/Ilitch gambling affiliates (Barwest, LCB Barwest, etc.) originally organized to pursue casino development and management opportunities in Barstow, CA.

Ilitch is the owner of Detroit’s MotorCity Casino. She’s vice chairwoman of Ilitch Holdings, Inc. which is the parent company of Little Caesars pizza (co-founded with husband Mike Ilitch), Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers, Olympia Entertainment and scores of other Ilitch Family controlled affiliates.

See Comprehensive List: Malik/Ilitch Family Affiliates