Then-Rep. Buzz Thomas honored his casino partner with House Resolution

In November 2001, Michigan State Representative "Buzz" Thomas (Samuel Thomas III) authored and introduced House Resolution 0259 honoring the life of Lawrence P. Doss.

Among many other accomplishments, Doss was one of the organizers of Atwater Entertainment Associates LLC, the syndicated entity that bankrolled approvals of gambling in Detroit and started MotorCity Casino. Doss was recognized as Manager/Treasurer of Atwater and was a signator to the Detroit Entertainment LLC Operating Agreement as representative of Atwater. That agreement tied together members of Atwater with a partnership that included Marian Ilitch, Tom Celani and Michael Malik, and Las Vegas-based Circus Circus (Mandalay Resort Group) to form the entity that does business as Detroit's MotorCity Casino.

A list of those who were "investors" indicates that then-Representative Thomas (he's now a State Senator) and Doss were partners in Atwater Entertainment Associates LLC. Mr. Doss's interests in Atwater were transferred to Judith Y. Doss in October 2001.

In 2005, Marian Ilitch initiated a buy-out of her Atwater partners -- presumably including Samual "Buzz" Thomas III and Judith Doss -- which some valued at more than $100 million.