Has Detroit's Michael J. Malik, Sr. been fronting again for Las Vegas gambling interests?
And why would the owners of two of Detroit's three large commecial gambling halls be financing plans for another casino less than an hour outside of Detroit in Port Huron when Detroit's Mayor has actively opposed such plans? Or do they really want a casino in Port Huron at all?
Forbes.com has posted an Associated Press story indiciating that MGM Mirage paid a D.C. lobbying firm $160,000 during the first half of 2007 to lobby among other things for congressional approval of a scheme to build an off-reservation Indian casino in Port Huron, Michigan. Official disclosure documents on file with the Secretary of the U.S. Senate confirm these details. The Bay Mills Indian Community only reported lobbying costs of $70,000 for the first half of 2007
Entities controlled by or affiliated with Detroit casino syndicator Michael J. Malik, Sr. and Mrs. Marian Ilitch have previously fronted more than $2 million lobbying for the Bay Mills casino scheme since 2002.
For years now, Michael Malik has been out front promoting the off-reservation casino in Port Huron for the Bay Mills Indian Community. The tribe has two casinos on its Brimley, Michigan reservation more than 300 miles from Port Huron.
Reports are that Marian Ilitch is behind the Bay Mills Port Huron casino too. Among other things, Marian, her husband Mike Ilitch and their children have personally contributed hundreds of thousands to Members of Congress who have backed the Bay Mills casino scheme and raised thousands more from their friends, colleagues, vendors and agents.
Michael Malik, while not an employee of Ilitch Holdings, Inc. has his office on the 10th Floor of the Fox Theater Building in Detroit which is the executive suite for Ilitch Holdings, Inc. Reports are that his office has direct access into Marian Ilitch's personal office.
In 2005, Marian stepped up and helped facilitate MGM Mirage's acquisition of Mandalay Resort Group. Mandalay was majority owner (53%) of MotorCity Casino. Marian owned 25% at the time. MGM Mirage owned the MGM Grand Detroit. Michigan gaming law prohibits one company from owning majority interest in multiple casinos. It was reported that MGM majority owner Kirk Kerkorian agreed to the plan in which Marian managed to quickly put together nearly $1 billion in financing and jumped through other hoops to acquire Mandalay's interests in MotorCity Casino so the merger/acquisition of the powerful Las Vegas company's could sail through smoothly.
In 1996, Marian, Michael Malik and another partner, Tom Celani, were reported to have contributed $5 million toward an 11th hour advertising blitz for Proposal E, the statewide ballot measure that permitted the establishment of three commercial casinos in Detroit. But according to documents filed with the SEC, within months of the election, Mandalay Resorts (Circus Circus) had agreed in writing to reimburse the $5 million plus in last minute political contributions the partners made and become majority interest in Detroit Entertainment LLC, the parent of MotorCity Casino. A subsequent Operating Agreement for Detroit Entertainment LLC filed with the SEC supports this as well.
In 1999, the Michigan Gaming Control Board denied a gaming license to Malik and he was forced to sell any interest in MotorCity Casino to Marian Ilitch. Since then he has worked side-by-side with Marian on various gaming proposals from New York to Hawaii. Malik has never been licensed for gaming but Marian Ilitch has been licensed in Michigan.
Malik and Ilitch had fronted (and reportedly bankrolled) a scheme to legalize gambling in Hawaii and have also pushed Indian Casino schemes in Barstow, CA -- alongside I-15, the road between Los Angeles and Las Vegas; and on Long Island in the posh Hamptons resort area.
And why would the owners of two of Detroit's three large commecial gambling halls be financing plans for another casino less than an hour outside of Detroit in Port Huron when Detroit's Mayor has actively opposed such plans? Or do they really want a casino in Port Huron at all?
Forbes.com has posted an Associated Press story indiciating that MGM Mirage paid a D.C. lobbying firm $160,000 during the first half of 2007 to lobby among other things for congressional approval of a scheme to build an off-reservation Indian casino in Port Huron, Michigan. Official disclosure documents on file with the Secretary of the U.S. Senate confirm these details. The Bay Mills Indian Community only reported lobbying costs of $70,000 for the first half of 2007
Entities controlled by or affiliated with Detroit casino syndicator Michael J. Malik, Sr. and Mrs. Marian Ilitch have previously fronted more than $2 million lobbying for the Bay Mills casino scheme since 2002.
For years now, Michael Malik has been out front promoting the off-reservation casino in Port Huron for the Bay Mills Indian Community. The tribe has two casinos on its Brimley, Michigan reservation more than 300 miles from Port Huron.
Reports are that Marian Ilitch is behind the Bay Mills Port Huron casino too. Among other things, Marian, her husband Mike Ilitch and their children have personally contributed hundreds of thousands to Members of Congress who have backed the Bay Mills casino scheme and raised thousands more from their friends, colleagues, vendors and agents.
Michael Malik, while not an employee of Ilitch Holdings, Inc. has his office on the 10th Floor of the Fox Theater Building in Detroit which is the executive suite for Ilitch Holdings, Inc. Reports are that his office has direct access into Marian Ilitch's personal office.
In 2005, Marian stepped up and helped facilitate MGM Mirage's acquisition of Mandalay Resort Group. Mandalay was majority owner (53%) of MotorCity Casino. Marian owned 25% at the time. MGM Mirage owned the MGM Grand Detroit. Michigan gaming law prohibits one company from owning majority interest in multiple casinos. It was reported that MGM majority owner Kirk Kerkorian agreed to the plan in which Marian managed to quickly put together nearly $1 billion in financing and jumped through other hoops to acquire Mandalay's interests in MotorCity Casino so the merger/acquisition of the powerful Las Vegas company's could sail through smoothly.
In 1996, Marian, Michael Malik and another partner, Tom Celani, were reported to have contributed $5 million toward an 11th hour advertising blitz for Proposal E, the statewide ballot measure that permitted the establishment of three commercial casinos in Detroit. But according to documents filed with the SEC, within months of the election, Mandalay Resorts (Circus Circus) had agreed in writing to reimburse the $5 million plus in last minute political contributions the partners made and become majority interest in Detroit Entertainment LLC, the parent of MotorCity Casino. A subsequent Operating Agreement for Detroit Entertainment LLC filed with the SEC supports this as well.
In 1999, the Michigan Gaming Control Board denied a gaming license to Malik and he was forced to sell any interest in MotorCity Casino to Marian Ilitch. Since then he has worked side-by-side with Marian on various gaming proposals from New York to Hawaii. Malik has never been licensed for gaming but Marian Ilitch has been licensed in Michigan.
Malik and Ilitch had fronted (and reportedly bankrolled) a scheme to legalize gambling in Hawaii and have also pushed Indian Casino schemes in Barstow, CA -- alongside I-15, the road between Los Angeles and Las Vegas; and on Long Island in the posh Hamptons resort area.
You may also want to review these related posts or click on "labels" below for others:
- Casino developer reportedly has track-record of dishonesty and deceipt
- Malik established new entities, possibly to bring in new funding sources for ongoing Port Huron casino scheme
- PDATED: Detroit casino syndicators had previously masked their $665,000 relationship with controversial D.C. Lobbyist
- UPDATE: Posts set context and detail scheming, conflict$ behind Detroiters' off-reservation casino proposal
- D.C. Lobbyists for Michael Malik's Port Huron casino scheme terminated
- The ties that bind Rep. Candice Miller to Mike & Marian Ilitch and their associated casino syndicator pal Michael Malik
- How Detroit casino syndicators financed the campaign that brought Las Vegas-style casino gaming to Detroit
- Ilitch Team's political contributions & influence helped Nevada's Sen. Harry Reid become Majority Leader
- Michael Malik at epicenter manufacturing behind the scenes drama in Michigan’s remote Charlotte Beach subdivision.
- Timeline: Port Huron Casino
- A handful of federal political campaign disclosure records indicate Michael Malik as an employee of Ilitch Holdings
- Developer's been chasing Tribe's off-reservation casino schemes for more than 15 years
NewsMeat.com provides a snapshot look at Ilitch Family DC political contributions and bundling practices - UPDATED: Here's how others describe Michael Malik and his pals who seek to exploit Indians for personal financial gain
- Tribe's casino backers have paid DC lobbyists at least three-quarters of a million dollars
Bay Mills Indian Community has paid Capitol Hill Lobbyists $1.32 million - Rep. Stupak again introduces bill for off-reservation casino; developer's 7th attempt at Port Huron casino scheme approvals
- Tribe to borrow $4 million to fund federal grant requirement, other investments in Plastics venture
- UPDATED: Donor's alleged mistress also gave $10,000 to two of his favorite candidates -- Rep. Candice Miller & Sen. Debbie Stabenow
- A Case of Abramoff-Lite: Pombo was doing favors for his Motor City Casino friends
- Port Huron Casino backers help raise nearly $100,000 for Sen. Carl Levin
- Casino Syndicator Michael Malik directly controls these 4 D.C. lobbyist employers
- Bay Mills Indian Casino backers behind first fundraiser for Rep. Candice Miller
- UPDATE: More money (post election) to Sen. Stabenow brings total to $117,200 from Malik & the Ilitch Family
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