Relationship betwen Ilitch owned baseball and gambling operations revealed

A press release issued by Ilitch Holdings, Inc. announcing the creation and hiring of a new VP of Government Relations suggests that Ilitch Holdings, Inc. is in fact the parent company of both the Detroit Tigers and MotorCity Casino among other Ilitch owned entities.

In the release, Ilitch Holdings CEO Christoper Ilitch says, the new VP Mike McLauchlan is "suited to interact with key governmental officials and community representatives in addressing the various legislative and civic issues that impact Ilitch-owned businesses."

It certainly sounds like this new exec will handle lobbying needs of both the Ilitch owned MLB team and the Ilitch owned gambling hall; as well as any other Ilitch owned business. This is yet another indication that the separation between baseball and gambling at Ilitch Holdings is paper thin, at best.

The press release is sure to point out that baseball team is owned by Mike Ilitch and MotorCity Casino is owned by Marian Ilitch. Somehow they seem to miss the point that both entities fall under the umbrella of parent Ilitch Holdings, Inc. As such, the press release fails to detail that:

• Mike Ilitch, owner of the baseball team, is Chairman of Ilitch Holdings, the parent of MotorCity Casino; and


• Marian Ilitch, owner of MotorCity Casino, serves as Vice Chairwoman of Ilitch Holdings, the parent of the Detroit Tigers baseball team.

Two years ago, Ilitch Holdings, Inc. purged most references to MotorCity Casino from its Web site attempting to suggest to outsiders that the gambling hall was a completely separate entity with no ties to Ilitch Holdings, Inc. or its other brands. This new press release clearly indicates otherwise. Is Bud Selig watching?

Ilitch Holdings acknowledges need for VP of Government Relations

a press release issued 5.27.08 by Ilitch Holdings, Inc.:

Ilitch Holdings Creates Government Relations Position, Appoints McLauchlan as Vice President

DETROIT, May 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Ilitch Holdings, Inc., today said Michael (Mike) McLauchlan has joined the company in the newly created position of vice president of government relations. President and Chief Executive Officer Christopher Ilitch made the announcement.

"As Ilitch-owned businesses grow, the addition of a government relations position will help us to build stronger, more strategic relationships with this important stakeholder group," said Ilitch. "Mike is a recognized professional and his more than 20 years of experience will be an asset to our organization. He has built strong relationships at all levels of government and is therefore well suited to interact with key governmental officials and community representatives in addressing the various legislative and civic issues that impact Ilitch-owned businesses."

Previously, McLauchlan was senior vice president and manager of government relations for Comerica Incorporated where he was responsible for the strategic planning and implementation of Comerica's local, state and federal government relations activities. His work at the bank earned him the high honor of Comerica's Chairman's Circle in 2004.

A lawyer by trade, McLauchlan was associate counsel at Hayduk, Dawson, Andrews and Hypnar P.C. before working at Comerica.

Prior to that, he was a legislative assistant to State Senator Gilbert J. DiNello of the Michigan State Senate.

McLauchlan is an active member and has served on the boards and committees of numerous professional and nonprofit organizations including the American Bankers Association, Financial Services Roundtable, Michigan Bankers Association, California Bankers Association, and Automotive Alley. He is currently the treasurer and chairman of the finance committee for the Detroit Police Foundation, and is currently an advisory board member for the Michigan Children's Trust Fund. Additionally, Mike serves as the 2007-2008 chairman of the Michigan Political Leadership Program.

McLauchlan earned a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and a Doctorate degree in law from Detroit College of Law. A Michigan native, he resides in Grosse Pointe Woods with his wife and three children.

About Ilitch Holdings, Inc.
Ilitch Holdings, Inc. provides technical and professional services to the companies owned by Michael and/or Marian Ilitch. The Ilitch companies in the food, sports and entertainment industries include: Little Caesars Pizza, Blue Line Foodservice Distribution, the Detroit Red Wings, Olympia Entertainment, Olympia Development, Little Caesars Pizza Kits Fundraising Program, Champion Foods and Uptown Entertainment. Michael Ilitch owns the Detroit Tigers. Marian Ilitch is the sole owner of the MotorCity Casino Hotel.

PR Newswire: http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-27-2008/0004821386&EDATE=#linktopagetop

Michael Malik sues over planning commission denial of Harsens Island project

5.28.08

Developers sue over Harsens Island project
Lawyers: Zoning change should be allowed

By NICOLE GERRING
Times Herald

Grande Pointe Development and Lucky 7 Development are trying to move forward with a proposal to build a 348-unit housing development on Harsens Island.

The developers have filed a lawsuit against Clay Township, stemming from the planning commission's Feb. 27 decision to reject a special land use request that would have allowed the housing development to be built on the former Boys & Girls Club property.

In the lawsuit, Grande Pointe and Lucky 7, which are managed and owned by former township resident Michael Malik, contend the planning commission's decision "was not based upon substantial, competent and material evidence on the record, was arbitrary and capricious, was contrary to law and did not advance a reasonable governmental interest related to public health, safety and welfare."

The planning commission had to base its decision on nine standards for a special land use consideration as stated in the township zoning ordinance. Members voted that the request did not meet some standards, which include a variety of factors such as whether the development would be in harmony with the existing character of the neighborhood.

Port Huron lawyer Gary Fletcher is one of the among those representing the developers.

"The developer believes they clearly complied with all the requirements of the (zoning) ordinance. Therefore, there was no basis to deny the approval the developer had requested," he said.

The court may affirm the commission's decision, turn it back to the commission for further review or affirm the developers' appeal and allow the special land use request.

In addition to the lawsuit, Grande Pointe Development filed a permit request on May 1 with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's Land and Water Management Division. The permit would allow developers to dredge and excavate at the project site and is required because the work would affect 17 acres of wetlands.

Developers also have applied to the DEQ for a permit to operate a marina, a planned part of the $170 million development.

Michael Malik plans to build a Marina on Harsens Island

A public notice filed May 1, 2008 with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) reveals that Michael J. Malik, Sr. has resurrected plans for a marina on Harsens Island. For nearly 20 years Mike Malik has attempted to get approvals to build a Marina on Harsens Island. Those previous proposals were all denied.

The Port Huron Times Herald previously has referred to Malik's plan for Harsens Island simply as a "348-unit housing development." Actually Malik has planned a 36-acre open air marina with at least 362 boat slips, an island in the middle of the Marina that hosts a "Pavilion" or clubhouse, and housing.

The DEQ released documents reveal that 1,000,000 cubic yards of material must be excavated from 32 acres of uplands and 6 wetlands areas on Harsens Island for construction of the marina basin.

If you want to see the full set of documents on the scope of Mike Malik's "Grand Pointe Marina" project go to http://www.deq.state.mi.us/lwmpnh-data/07740161pn.pdf

You can get details on the hearing and permitting process by going to http://www.deq.state.mi.us/lwmpnh/default.asp?PermitNo=07740161

Malik's development entities for the Harsens Island project are Grande Pointe Development LLC (or Grand Pointe Development LLC) and Lucky 7 Development LLC.

Michael J. Malik, Sr. has partnered with Marian Ilitch and various members of the Detroit's Ilitch family on casino and development projects. Denise Ilitch, eldest daughter of Marian and Mike Ilitch was previously a member of Luck 7 Development LLC.

MotorCity Casino revenues down 1.7% for first four months of 2008

Note: Despite a greatly expanded gaming floor and new 400-room hotel, Detroit Entertainment LLC (CCM Merger, Inc.) reports MotorCity Casino revenues for the first four months of 2008 are down 1.7% over the same period in 2007.

5.14.08

MGM Grand’s gambling revenue up in 2008

By Robert Ankeny

MGM Grand Detroit Casino L.L.C. reported gambling revenue to the Michigan Gaming Control Board of more than $190.7 million for the first four months of 2008, up 15.1 percent over the same period in 2007.

MGM’s strong showing put aggregate revenue for the three Detroit casinos for the first four months of 2008 about 3.55 percent ahead of last year, at $465.8 million vs. $448.55 million. That’s despite down figures by the other two casinos.

Detroit Entertainment L.L.C. (MotorCity Casino) and Greektown Casino L.L.C. reported 2008 revenue less than 2007 by 1.4 percent and 4.6 percent, respectively when measured for the first four months of the year.

In April, MGM had almost $46.9 million in revenue, up 14.2 percent from 2007. MotorCity at $40.7 million last month exceeded April 2007 revenue by nearly 3.5 percent. Greektown reported revenue of $28.6 million for April 2008, down almost 5 percent from its April 2007 take.

Gambling revenue is what casinos keep from the amount wagered, after paying winners but before paying taxes, wages, utilities and other expenses.

Taxes paid to the state of Michigan so far this year were $45.9 million, and to the city of Detroit almost $52 million.