OpenSecrets.org reports that Michael Malik has contributed more than $250,000 to federal candidates and campaigns since 2002.
OpenSecrets.org also reports that Michael Malik contributed more than $10,000 to seven committees during 2004 and reported to each that his employer was Ilitch Holdings, Inc., formed by Mike Ilitch and Marian Ilitch as the parent company of the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings, Little Caesars Pizza, IH Gaming, Olympia Development, Olympia Entertainment and various other Ilitch-family owned entities. Marian Ilitch owns MotorCity Casino. The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) denied Michael Malik a license in 1999 prohibiting him from ownership of MotorCity Casino.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Malik, Payment contribute to Rep. Stupak's secret PAC
Federal Election Commission (FEC) documents report that a "Mike J. Malik" (MJM Enterprises) contributed $5,000 to "Bart's Bridge PAC" on 9.29.07. OpenSecrets.org indicates the PAC is a so-called leadership PAC affiliated with Rep. Bart Stupak.
Also contributing to Bart's Bridge PAC:
Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, c/o Aaron Payment, $5,000
Bart's Bridge PAC paid both Ann Barstow and Laurie Stupak $5,918.00 each.
Also contributing to Bart's Bridge PAC:
Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, c/o Aaron Payment, $5,000
Bart's Bridge PAC paid both Ann Barstow and Laurie Stupak $5,918.00 each.
Marian Ilitch: Homemaker or 'Nation's Top Businesswoman"
When contributing to federal political candidates and campaign committees Marian Ilitch (Mrs. Mike Ilitch) routinely lists her occupation on Federal Election Commission (FEC) documents as "homemaker;" although, her biography on the Ilitch Holdings, Inc. Web site refers to Mrs. Ilitch as the "Nation's Top Businesswoman:"
Nation’s Top BusinesswomanMarian has earned a reputation as a dynamic force in the restaurant and entertainment industry. She continues to blaze new trails and respond to the changing needs of the marketplace. Marian Ilitch has received many awards including:
- Named one of Detroit’s Enterprising Women by the Detroit Historical Society in partnership with the Women’s Economic Club, National Association of Women Business Owners, Greater Detroit Chapter and Crain’s Detroit Business. (2004)
- Inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame (2001)
- Named Michigan Executive of the Year by the Wayne State School of Business Administration (1999)
- Hospice of Southeastern Michigan Council Crystal Rose Award for leadership, compassion and dedication to the community (1997)
- American Red Cross of Southeastern Michigan for aiding emergency services and the work of the Red Cross friends (1996)
- Working Women Magazine - recognized as the number one women business owner in the nation (1994)
- Greater Detroit Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners - recognized as one of Michigan’s Top 25 women business owners (1994)
- Roundtable for Women in Foodservice Pacesetter Award in recognition of lasting and outstanding contributions made by women in foodservice (1988)
- Crain’s Detroit Business Top Women in Business Honoree (2005)
Friday, March 21, 2008
Congresswoman alleges collusion in off-reservation casino scheme
Excerpted from testimony provided 3.14.08 by Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D - MI13th) at a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee on H.R. 2176:
On October 10, 2002, in testimony before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, The Chairman of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe, Bernard Boushor, said “ the Bay Mills case was a scam from the start.” In testimony and information provided to the House Natural Resources Committee in February of this year, Saginaw Chippewa Chief Fred Cantu cited Chairman Boushor’s testimony, stating that the original lawsuit on the land claim was a collusive lawsuit. I have provided Chairman Boushor’s statement to be included as part of today’s testimony.
I would strongly encourage the Committee to carefully read these documents on how this land claim actually began. The proponents of this legislation have repeatedly stated that these bills are simply to address the aggrieved landowners in Charlotte Beach. But according to the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe “the Charlotte Beach claim did not originate with Bay Mills. It was a product of a Detroit area attorney who developed it specifically as a vehicle to obtain an IGRA casino…the goal was never to recover the Charlotte Beach lands.”
How was this originally a collusive lawsuit? The Bay Mills Tribe sued Mr. James Hadley on October 18, 1996 who entered into a settlement in which he gave land to the Bay Mills Tribe 300 miles from their reservation to build a casino in Auburn Hills, Michigan. That plan was rejected by the Department of Interior. The point is that Mr. Hadley was not an aggrieved landowner, he was an active participant in what the Sault Tribe described as “a collusive lawsuit” and “a scam.”
Michael Malik's multi-million dollar home is on the block; take a virtual tour
Multi-million dollar homes owned by Detroit-based casino syndicator Michael J. Malik, Sr. and his ex-wife (at least one of which has been in foreclosure and the subject of a Sheriff's Deed) are now on the block:
591 LAKESHORE RD
5 bedrooms 4.1 bathrooms
Square Footage: 9091
School District: Grosse Pointe
583 LAKE SHORE RD
4 bedrooms 5.1 bathrooms
Square Footage: 6016
School District: Grosse Pointe
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Editorial: Questionable hearing rallies casinos' foes
3.17.08
Editorial
Questionable hearing rallies casinos’ foes
Committee’s purpose was to trash Port Huron, Romulus bills
If there was any doubt about the purpose of U.S. Rep. John Conyers’ hearing on the casino gambling bills for Port Huron and Romulus, Friday’s meeting should have dispelled it. Conyers, D-Detroit, used his position as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee to convene a forum for foes of the two bills.
The congressman’s casino opposition to the proposed casinos is no secret. Like most members of Detroit’s delegation, Conyers is against the prospect of any new gambling facilities relatively close to the city.
Detroit officials see the casinos’ proximity as threats to the city’s interests. With three casinos operating as cash cows, new competition might reduce that revenue.
Conyers said as much in his opening remarks at the committee hearing.
The two casinos would “unfairly disadvantage the city of Detroit, to put it mildly,” he said. The competition, he said, would take gamblers, tax revenue and jobs.
Given that introduction, the list of witnesses hardly was a surprise: it was stacked with opponents of the Port Huron and Romulus casinos.
Democrats Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick of Detroit and Shelley Berkley of Las Vegas both spoke against the legislation. Chief Fred Cantu of the Saginaw Chippewa tribe added his opposition. Carl Artman of the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs also expressed his objection.
Only attorneys Kathryn Tierney of the Bay Mills Community and Alice Walker, who represents the Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa, spoke in favor of the legislation.
The bills settle a long-standing eastern Upper Peninsula land dispute between the Sault and Bay Mills Chippewas. The Bay Mills Indian Community would drop its claim to 110 acres of land in Charlotte Beach in exchange for either 19.6 acres at Port Huron’s Desmond Landing or 16.5 acres at the Thomas Edison Inn. The Sault were given the choice of property in either Romulus or Flint.
The legislation also gives authority to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan to enforce the Charlotte Beach land swap for the proposed casino sites. Conyers used the provision to win temporary jurisdiction of the bills for his Judiciary Committee.
In the end, the hearing counted for little. With no real effort to present a fair discussion on the merits of the legislation or to allow representatives of Port Huron and Romulus to speak, the meeting essentially served as a chance for the bills’ opponents to vent.
Last month, the House Natural Resources Committee approved both bills for consideration by the full House. The Judiciary Committee’s jurisdiction is brief — it expires on April 5 . It also is secondary to that of the Natural Resources Committee.
The merits of both bills deserve a thorough hearing in the House and the Senate. The skewed Judiciary Committee hearing did nothing more than demonstrate the need for a fair discussion.
Committee’s purpose was to trash Port Huron, Romulus bills
If there was any doubt about the purpose of U.S. Rep. John Conyers’ hearing on the casino gambling bills for Port Huron and Romulus, Friday’s meeting should have dispelled it. Conyers, D-Detroit, used his position as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee to convene a forum for foes of the two bills.
The congressman’s casino opposition to the proposed casinos is no secret. Like most members of Detroit’s delegation, Conyers is against the prospect of any new gambling facilities relatively close to the city.
Detroit officials see the casinos’ proximity as threats to the city’s interests. With three casinos operating as cash cows, new competition might reduce that revenue.
Conyers said as much in his opening remarks at the committee hearing.
The two casinos would “unfairly disadvantage the city of Detroit, to put it mildly,” he said. The competition, he said, would take gamblers, tax revenue and jobs.
Given that introduction, the list of witnesses hardly was a surprise: it was stacked with opponents of the Port Huron and Romulus casinos.
Democrats Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick of Detroit and Shelley Berkley of Las Vegas both spoke against the legislation. Chief Fred Cantu of the Saginaw Chippewa tribe added his opposition. Carl Artman of the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs also expressed his objection.
Only attorneys Kathryn Tierney of the Bay Mills Community and Alice Walker, who represents the Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa, spoke in favor of the legislation.
The bills settle a long-standing eastern Upper Peninsula land dispute between the Sault and Bay Mills Chippewas. The Bay Mills Indian Community would drop its claim to 110 acres of land in Charlotte Beach in exchange for either 19.6 acres at Port Huron’s Desmond Landing or 16.5 acres at the Thomas Edison Inn. The Sault were given the choice of property in either Romulus or Flint.
The legislation also gives authority to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan to enforce the Charlotte Beach land swap for the proposed casino sites. Conyers used the provision to win temporary jurisdiction of the bills for his Judiciary Committee.
In the end, the hearing counted for little. With no real effort to present a fair discussion on the merits of the legislation or to allow representatives of Port Huron and Romulus to speak, the meeting essentially served as a chance for the bills’ opponents to vent.
Last month, the House Natural Resources Committee approved both bills for consideration by the full House. The Judiciary Committee’s jurisdiction is brief — it expires on April 5 . It also is secondary to that of the Natural Resources Committee.
The merits of both bills deserve a thorough hearing in the House and the Senate. The skewed Judiciary Committee hearing did nothing more than demonstrate the need for a fair discussion.
Presidential candidates and the future of off-reservation casinos
3.18.08
Casino no done deal for tribal leaders
Wampanoag bid faces US hurdles
Wampanoag bid faces US hurdles
By Matt Viser
Globe Staff
Globe Staff
Governor Deval Patrick has repeatedly argued that the state should license casinos because, with or without state approval, the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe will inevitably build one under federal rules. But, in reality, Wampanoag tribal leaders have embarked on a venture that is fraught with uncertainty, their hopes for gambling riches by no means guaranteed.
Daniel O'Connell, the state secretary of economic development and Patrick's chief gaming adviser, recently expressed confidence.
Casino's chances
Most immediately, the fate of the tribe's casino proposal could hinge on the outcome of the 2008 presidential election. A victory by Senator John McCain, who strongly opposes so-called off-reservation Indian casinos, could derail the Wampanoags' effort because they are seeking to build 25 miles from their headquarters on Cape Cod. Even a victory by Democrats Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama, who have murkier positions on tribal gaming, would not make a tribal casino a foregone conclusion. (Complete Original Story)
Daniel O'Connell, the state secretary of economic development and Patrick's chief gaming adviser, recently expressed confidence.
Casino's chances
Most immediately, the fate of the tribe's casino proposal could hinge on the outcome of the 2008 presidential election. A victory by Senator John McCain, who strongly opposes so-called off-reservation Indian casinos, could derail the Wampanoags' effort because they are seeking to build 25 miles from their headquarters on Cape Cod. Even a victory by Democrats Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama, who have murkier positions on tribal gaming, would not make a tribal casino a foregone conclusion. (Complete Original Story)
MotorCity Casino loses PR Team to Detroit's Wright Museum
A story published 3.18.08 in the Detroit News reported that Juanita Moore, president and CEO of Detroit's Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, has hired not only:
"a full-time archivist and the museum's first group-sales coordinator, but also a new public-relations team that she lured away from MotorCity Casino."
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