Michigan casino developers must be pleased that despite predictions Rep. Young won re-election

Despite earlie polls indicating he would be defeated in his bid for re-election, Rep. Don Young (R-AK), one of Detroit casino syndicator Michael Malik's pals on Capitol Hill, has been re-elected.

Rep. Young, Alaska's sole House member since 1973, appears to have survived an otherwise bruising night for House Republicans across the U.S. He maintains a comfortable lead over his Democratic challenger, former state Rep. Ethan Berkowitz, capturing 51.49% to Berkowitz’s 43.97%.

Young, who championed the "Bridge to Nowhere" among other controversial earmarks, is embroiled in a corruption investigation and facing scrutiny for a controversial highway-bill earmark (Coconut Road, FL) that benefited one of his donors/fundraisers, Daniel Aronoff. .

Among other things, Young has relentlessly helped Malik advance various schemes intended to approve an off-reservation casino in Port Huron, Michigan, to be built and managed by Malik whose partners have included Marian Ilitch, Harrah's and others.

During the last decade, Rep. Young served as Chairman, Vice Chairman and now Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee which has oversight of Indian gaming matters. Young co-sponsored two of at least seven bills introduced intending to pave the way for Malik's casino plans -- H.R. 5459 (2002) & H.R. 831 (2003). During the second session of the 110th Congress, Young successfuly championed Natural Resources Committee approval of H.R. 2176 and then passionately lead the failed floor fight for passage of the bill.

Young, previously Chairman of the House Transportation Committee, also attempted to use transportation appropriations bills during 2004 & 2005 to slip through, under the radar, approvals Malik needs; a controversial practice that Young carried out on behalf of other donors as well.

During the last six years, Malik and his partners have retained several of Rep. Young's "A-Team" lobbyists -- secretly paying some of them more than $665,000. They've used their private aircraft to fly Young to various U.S. destinations and fronted other entertainment costs, and contributed thousands to Young's various campaign committees and other GOP committees that benefit Young -- in 2006 they were among his top 10 donors.

For a more complete picture of Young's relationship with Malik and partners, see our post from August 2007 or click on the label "Don Young."

What's up in Nashville?

What's got the Ilitch Gulfstream shuttling back and forth between Detroit and Nashville?

The Ilitch corporate jet, a Gulfstream II that sports the Little Ceasars Pizza logo on its tail, made shuttle flights between Detroit's Metropolitan Airport and Nashville International on April 14th, 16th and 20th before heading to the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan outside of Denver, Colorado on April 29th.

Ilitch aircraft awfully busy flying to D.C., Kansas, California, Nevada and back to Detroit

This past month the Ilitch private aircraft #N559LC traveled from Detroit International Airport to Washington, D.C.; then onto Salina, Kansas; San Diego, California; Stockton, California; Reno, Nevada and then home to Detroit.

See plane's flight log from 1.22.08 through 1.25.08.

Ilitch pal, former Congressman turned lobbyist, Richard Pombo lives in the Stockton area and Barstow Mayor Lawrence Dale is from the Salina, Kansas area. The Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians are located in San Diego County, California.

In the wake of Rick Tocchet's NHL gambling ring ...

Nearly a year ago, it was scandalous when Mrs. Wayne Gretzky (Janet Jones) was linked to an NHL gambling ring involving NHL's Rick Tocchet; but now Mrs. Mike Ilitch (Marian Ilitch) is pulling the Detroit Red Wings into her MotorCity Casino for an inaugural gambling-fest designed to draw others into her newly expanded Las Vegas-style gambling hall. YES, she's using the Red Wings to promote her casino.

as posted 10.02.07 on the official Web site of the NHL's Detroit Red Wings:


Put on a poker face with the Red Wings

DETROIT -- The tables will heat up at the Red Wings' inaugural Hockeytown Hold’Em Tournament presented by the MotorCity Casino.

Be part of the action on Monday, November 5 as the Wings ante-up for charity in this Texas hold’em format poker tournament.

For a $500 donation to the Detroit Red Wings Foundation, you can try your hand and test your nerves going head-to-head with Nicklas Lidstrom, Henrik Zetterberg and the rest of the 2007-08 Red Wings.

Beginning at 4:30 p.m., you will be treated to a cocktail reception at Iridescence, MotorCity Casino’s four-diamond restaurant where you can raise the stakes and bid on your favorite Red Wings' player to play along-side during the event. The action fires up inside the Poker Room at 6 p.m.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers, including a grand prize trip for two with the team to an away game on Red Bird II during the 2007-08 season. Second-place will receive a suite for a Red Wings' home game during the 2007-08 regular-season. Third-place will receive four tickets to a Red Wings' regular-season game including a meet-n-greet session with select players following the game.

A limited number of participant spots are available by calling the Red Wings season tickets office at 313-396-7575. Table sponsorships are also available.

All proceeds will benefit the Detroit Red Wings Foundation. The goal of the Detroit Red Wings Foundation is to satisfy the unique needs of our community through the sport of hockey. The Detroit Red Wings Foundation, a subsidiary of Ilitch Charities for Children, is an IRS recognized 501c3 organization.

Has Little Caesar's Gulfstream been shuttling Members of Congress and other politicians?

Gulfstream II, #N559LC, is owned by Little Caesar Enterprises LLC

#N559LC is based out of Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport (KDTW)

1974 Gulfstream II, #N559LC: Detailed Leasing Spec Sheet

Is this Gulfstream II (a plane owned by Little Caesar Enterprises LLC), the same plane that Michael J. Malik, Sr. has been using to shuttle Members of Congress and other politicians around the U.S.?

Various political disclosures have suggested that Michael J. Malik, Barwest LLC, MJM Manistee and other Malik controlled entitites have fronted travel and private airfare costs for Members of Congress and othe elected officials over the last four years.

Previously TVT has highlighted several aircraft (1) leased or (2) believed to be co-owned by Detroit's Ilitch family that may have been the aircraft Michael Malik has used to shuttle politicians and others to fund raisers and meetings related to Malik's various casino syndications or earmark-worthy projects.

However, it's most likely that this 22-seat, Gulfstream II, twin turbo engine plane pictured above was the aircraft Malik used. While the plane is owned by Little Caesar Enterprises, LLC; disclosure reports disguise reimbursements for travel costs by funneling payments to third parties associated with Michael Malik rather than reimburse the plane's owners Little Caesar Enterprises LLC.

In 1999 Mike and Marian Ilitch formed Ilitch Holdings, Inc. to provide all companies owned by Michael and/or Marian Ilitch with professional and technical services.

Little Caesars Pizza was co-founded by Detroit's Mike Ilitch and his wife Marian Ilitch. The family also owns the Detroit Tigers baseball team and the Detroit Red Wings hockey franchise. Marian Ilitch owns Detroit's MotorCity Casino and the family has partnered with Mike Malik on various Indian casino syndications.

Little Caesar's Gulfstream II airplane

Thanks to "tips" from TVT readers, TVT has confirmed that the plane pictured below, a Gulfstream II with tail number N559LC, is registered to Little Caesar Enterprises LLC. This plane is believed to be used principally by Mike & Marian Ilitch and their family/associates.

It is unclear if this is the plane that's been used to shuttle Members of Congress like former Rep. Richard Pombo and Alaska's Rep. Don Young. Another plane, a Gulfstream IV with tail number N424QS, is registered to an Olympia Aviation, LLC. The Ilitch Family controls an entity by that same name that also leases a DC-9 with tail number N682RW, used for team travel by the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings.

Link: FAA Registration N559LC

Flight Activity History

Who is Harold Alger; and what's his connection to Barwest and Barstow

Like the mysterious Barron Mazel of Barronhaus Ltd. another name has appeared in documents obtained by TVT and connected to Barwest and Barstow -- Mr. Harold Alger.

TVT has learned that Alger, in March 2006, had threatened to bring suit against the City of Barstow for either breach of contract or interference of contract relative to a Los Coyotes Tribe casino in Barstow. Alger apparentlyspoke to executives at City of Barstow including Barstow economice development director Ron Rector, who in turn passed on Mr. Alger's claims to Barwest attorney, Lance Boldrey.

Boldrey proceeded to respond to Mr. Alger's actions in writing with among other things a request that Alger cease and desist; and threats to bring legal actions against Alger if he contacted state or federal officials with his complaints.

Apparently Alger also indicated Barstow land speculator, Dan Plies, would also be making claims that the City had breached contracts with him.

Plies and a Pennsylvannia eccentric named J. Herbert Fisher, Jr. owned various parcels near the proposed Barwest casino site in Barstow. The pair claimed to have been instrumental in formulation of Barstow's "Lenwood Specific Plan" and "Lenwood Special Assessment District." Ironically, (and perhaps mere coincidence) one of the partners in a Gulfstream G-IV airplane part owned by Olympia Aviation LLC (believed to be the Ilitch Family) is Fisher Air LLC. Fisher is also acquainted with Dr. James Dobson the head of Focus on the Family, a national conservative group that once threatened to boycott Ilitch Holdings' brands because the family had entered into the gambling business.

A year prior to the call from Alger, Barstow City economic development director Ron Rector made public mention of Harold Alger at an April 4, 2005 Barstow City Council meeting. Although Mr. Rector's recollection of events would later be contradicted in sworn court deposition of Los Coyotes tribal leader Kevin Siva, Mr. Rector indicated at the April 4th meeting as follows:

"Eh, but I started rummaging around and ran into a gentleman named, eh, Harold Alger from Minnesota, who had spoken with the Los Coyotes on this very issue. Eh, he brought the Los Coyotes to the City, eh, I’ve got to guess...around the August 2001 time frame. We sat and chatted with them at length."

Ron Rector
Barstow Economic Development Director

While Mr. Rector's recollection of the timing would later be disputed in sworn court deposition by a leader of the Los Coyotes tribe who says they first went to meet with the City late in 2001 or possibly early 2002 after being encouraged to do so by Barwest; it's interesting to note that Rector claims to have met with Alger who was an agent of the Los Coyotes tribe.

Alger may be reachable at (317) 371-4243 which appears to have some affiliation with Indiana-based Bauer & Associates.

Co-owners of Olympia Aviation's Gulfstream IV Jet - Tail# N424QS

A 1997 Gulfstream G-IVSP, tail number N424QS, serial #1324, is registered to NJI Sales, Inc. (NetJets Inc./NetJets Aviation Inc.), a Berkshire Hathaway company, with fractional ownership (co-owned).

NJI Sales Inc.
2 Leadership Square, 10th Floor
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102

"NetJets' fractional aircraft ownership allows individuals and companies to buy a share of a private business jet at a fraction of the cost of whole aircraft ownership, and guarantees availability 365 days a year with just a few hours' notice."

According to the registration on file with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the 22-seat, twin engine turbo jet, Gulfstream N424QS is co-owned by these entities:

• ANIKA LLC
• CIT Leasing Corp
• Fisher Air LLC
• GPR Aviation LLC
• Highpoint Ventures LLC
• OLYMPIA AVIATION LLC
• Robert Half International Inc

Olympia Aviation, L.L.C. is an affiliate of Ilitch Holdings, Inc. It is likely this aircraft is used by Mike & Marian Ilitch, their family and associates for their personal and professional travel needs.

Olympia Aviation leases a larger Boeing DC-9, tail number N682RW, which is used for travel by the Detroit Tigers/Detroit Red Wings.

A 1999 Gulfstream G-IVSP is currently offered for sale by TWC Aviation with a $28,500,000 price tag.

You may want to review these related posts:

• Is the Gulfstream G-IV private aircraft pictured on this postcard co-owned by the Ilitch Family?
• The official airplane of the Detroit Tigers & Red Wings owned by the Ilitch Family (Olympia Aviation)
• Rep. Young (R-AK) flying around in Detroit Casino Developers' private jet
• Casino Developer who fronted travel & entertainment costs for Rep. Don Young (R-AK) did the same for former Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA)
• Members of Congress aren't the only elected officials flying around in the private aircraft of Detroit casino syndicators

Is the Gulfstream G-IV private aircraft pictured on this postcard co-owned by the Ilitch Family?

Surprise!

Citizen Activist has just sent you a postcard, using the Airliners.net Electronic Postcard Service, of a private aircraft (1997 Gulfstream IV) believed to likely be co-owned by Detroit's Ilitch Family (Olympia Aviation, L.L.C.).

You can also get a copy of the postcard anytime during the next three weeks (until Sept. 7th) by clicking the link: http://www.airliners.net/postcard/view.main?id=9/5/2/G8BFBP

Link: FAA Registration Detail - N424QS

Is this the private plane the Ilitch Family and Michael J. Malik use to transport politicians like Alaska's Rep. Don Young, former Rep. Richard Pombo, other elected officals, mayors, people like Richard Cummings and tribal leaders?

Tell TVT about your personal experience aboard the Ilitch (Olympia Aviation) plane by leaving a comment here on TheVerifiableTruth.com or emailing TVT at allverifiable@gmail.com.

Some other related posts you might want to review:

• Co-owners of Olympia Aviation's Gulfstream IV Jet - Tail# N424QS
• The official airplane of the Detroit Tigers & Red Wings owned by the Ilitch Family (Olympia Aviation)
• Rep. Young (R-AK) flying around in Detroit Casino Developers' private jet
• Casino Developer who fronted travel & entertainment costs for Rep. Don Young (R-AK) did the same for former Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA)
• Members of Congress aren't the only elected officials flying around in the private aircraft of Detroit casino syndicators

Members of Congress aren't the only elected officials flying around in the private aircraft of Detroit casino syndicators

It seems Members of Congress like former Rep. Richard Pombo and Alaska's Rep. Don Young aren't the only elected officials Michael Malik and Marian Ilitch are shuttling around on their private or chartered jets...

as published 6.14.05 in the Desert Dispatch, a letter to the editor from Patrick Aleman, Barstow:

"...The proposal might have stalled but these players, including Mayor Dale and Ron Rector, have been "going places," for sure. In documents available online and through public records requests, and after listening to the tangled web woven by the key players in public reports and testimony, Mayor Dale and Ron Rector have been getting out of Barstow in high style.

"In fact, Dale and Rector have been shuttling back and forth to San Francisco and elsewhere, sometimes in a private Lear Jet that takes off from Palm Springs, enjoying fancy food, and getting up close and personal experiences with privileges, all paid for or provided as gifts from BarWest. They're getting a taste of the privilege normally afforded to wealthy owners of major sports franchises, or those people who own major theaters, concert halls, or arenas that host major stars or musicians. The closest glimpse most of us here in Barstow will ever get of that privilege is what we might see when we're channel surfing and come across reruns of TV's "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous."

"I have raised questions about things like free trips on private Lear Jets and my questions go ignored by the mayor and senior staff. When I inquire about how many visits Mr. Rector has paid to the Detroit area, or if any of his expenses were reimbursed or paid for by BarWest or if he was taken out on the town or received tickets to sporting events or concerts or given VIP favors at the local casino, Rector gets red in the face, fuming red, and I get ignored. Rector carefully implies he is in Michigan on family trips and nothing more. The mayor nor any other official will confirm whether or not they've been hosted in Detroit.

"Most offensive is the arrogance Dale and Rector exhibit when they fail to report these gifts or any others they might have received from these millionaires or their associates to the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) as required by law.

"It was the discovery of the random memo to file that pointed to one of the Lear Jet trips. The purpose: BarWest insisted the pair go along on the field trip to San Francisco to help convince former assembly speaker Willie Brown to accept Barwest's lucrative lobbing contract. Since when did Willie Brown need to be "convinced" to take anyone's money? Or worse yet, help me with the connection on just how Mayor Dale, a local GOP big-wig, was going to have any influence over fat-cat big deal Democrat Willie Brown. Oddly enough, there are no other records of expenses from that entire trip for the usual things like mileage reimbursements down to the Palm Springs airport and back, airport parking, dining, taxi or limousine service -- nothing accept the one random memo to file I stumbled upon."

you may want to review these posts:

• Casino Developer who fronted travel & entertainment costs for Rep. Don Young (R-AK) did the same for former Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA)
• Rep. Young (R-AK) flying around in Detroit Casino Developers' private jet

Red Bird II: the official airplane of the Detroit Tigers & Red Wings owned by the Ilitch Family (Olympia Aviation)

Official Airplane of the

Detroit Tigers & Red Wings (Ilitch Holdings, Inc.)

Operator	Model	Registration
OLYMPIA AVIATION (Ilitch Holdings, Inc.)	DC9	N682RW

Status	Remarks
Leased From	PROVIDENT BANK

Orig Delivery Date	Age-Yrs	Serial No
Sep-77	27.1	47733

Rep. Young (R-AK) flying around in Detroit Casino Developers' private jet

* * UPDATED with TWO ADDITIONAL PLANE FLIGHTS 3/19/2007 * *

Alaska Representative Don Young, then Chair of the House Transportation Committee, was apparently flying around on someone's private jet or a jet they had chartered for private travel. Based on FEC records available through PoliticalMoneyLine for Congressional Quarterly, apparently Barwest LLC orginally picked up the air travel tab. And then subsequently it appears the same parties may have fronted costs for two additional flights using other names.

Barwest LLC is primarily a casino development and management syndication. Barwest LLC was fined in October 2006 by the California Fair Political Practices Commission on two counts of failing to report a contribution of $26,600 to Rep. Richard Pombo's County GOP Committee.

It is unclear for the various flights what the itninerary or purpose was or who else was on the plane; but for the Barwest LLC fronted travel there are several other Las Vegas-related travel and lodging expenses logged by the Congressman on the same day. For the Malik fronted air travel there was a corresponding charge to The Homestead resort in Hot Springs, VA. Corporate Flight charter service is based at the Oakland County Airport frequently used by Malik.

DON YOUNG (R-AK)
Expenditures

2005-2006 Cycle

Recipient	Amount	Date	Description
Barwest LLC, Detroit, MI	$5,817	1/25/2005	AIR TRAVEL
Corporate Flight, Waterford, MI	$3,422	2/17/2005	AIR TRAVEL
Malik, Michael, Detroit, MI	$3,978	10/07/2005	AIR TRAVEL

FEC statement filed 4/12/2005, Page 191, Item C; and Page 197, Item A.

FEC Statement filed 1/25/2006, Page 84, Item A.

Barwest LLC principals are Mrs. Marian Ilitch and Michael J. Malik, Sr. (Michael Malik). Barwest LLC is Detroit-based but its primary business is in California. Barwest LLC seeks to build twin Indian casinos in Barstow, California; that would anchor a larger commercial mega resort area. Barwest LLC has the exclusive rights to develop and manage the proposed casinos and resort projects which still need various state and federal approvals.

Ilitch and Malik are also bankrolling other off-reservation casino proposals in Michigan (Port Huron) and New York (Southampton/Shinnecock Hills).

Congress.org ranks Rep. Young as the most powerful Republican on the House Natural Resources Committee which oversees Indian gaming matters. He is former chairman of the committee having served prior to Rep. Richard Pombo who took the reins in 2003.

Rep. Young was then powerful chair of the House Transportation Committee. The various casinos backed by Ilitch and Malik require various transportation and highway improvements. But more significantly the backers of the Bay Mills Indian Tribe's proposed Port Huron casino had secretly slipped approvals for the project into a transportation spending bill but opponents in Congress caught the move and extracted it from the bill.

The Ilitch Family and Malik have previously contributed at least $16,000 to Rep. Young's campaign committee and thousands more to various national GOP committees with which Young is likely affiliated or a beneficiary. Further, they contributed $21,000 to Rep. Mark Kennedy's (R-MN) failed campaign for the U.S. Senate. Kennedy was a member of the transportation Committee and one of Rep. Young's allies.

Ilitch Holdings, including Malik, ranked as one of Young's top 5 donors for the two-year 2006 campaign cycle. Mike and Marian Ilitch are the co-founders of Little Caesars Pizza and own the Detroit Red Wings. The family also owns the Detroit Tigers and purchased Detroit's MotorCity Casino from Mandalay Resort Group/MGM Mirage in 2005.

you may want to review these posts:

• Casino Developer who fronted travel & entertainment costs for Rep. Don Young (R-AK) did the same for former Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA)
• Members of Congress aren't the only elected officials flying around in the private aircraft of Detroit casino syndicators

Casino Developer who fronted travel & entertainment costs for Rep. Don Young (R-AK) did the same for former Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA)

After fronting the costs of private plane travel & entertainment for Rep. Don Young, the former chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee; a Detroit-based casino syndicators fronted the costs ($31,533.00) of similar private plane flights, and other travel and entertainment expenses for Rep. Richard Pombo who happened to be the then-chairman of the House Resources Committee. The committee has oversight for Indian gaming matters.

RICH Political Action Committee (Rep. Richard Pombo)

Expenditures

2005-2006 Cycle

Recipient	Amount	Date	Description
Malik, Michael Sr Detroit, MI	$5,000	7/11/2005	In-kind (private jet)
Malik, Michael Sr Detroit, MI	$16,064	9/14/2005	PAC fundraiser-event rental / transportation
MJM Manistee, Inc Detroit, MI	$10,469	9/14/2005	PAC fundraiser-catering / hotel
Total	$31,533

Obtained from PoliticalMoneyLine for Congressional Quarterly; and OpenSecrets.org Center for Responsive Politics

Michael J. Malik, Sr. the driving force behind ‘off-reservation” casino plans for various Indian tribes in California, Michigan and New York was a top donor and fundraiser for both Members. Matters involving and effecting those tribes and proposals were frequently before the House Resources Committee.

Specifically Malik and his partners (Ilitch Holdings, Inc.) ranked #4 among Young’s Top 10 donors. Among Pombo’s RICH Political Action Committee donors for the 2004 & 2006 election cycles, Malik ranked #5 and his partners Mike & Marian Ilitch ranked #9. Jack Abramoff ranked #10.

And in addition to Malik and Ilitch contributions; their various attorneys, public relations consultants, lobbyists and miscellaneous business partners related and unrelated to the casino proposals were also random contributors to Pombo, Young and others.

you may want to review these posts:

• Rep. Young (R-AK) flying around in Detroit Casino Developers' private jet
• Members of Congress aren't the only elected officials flying around in the private aircraft of Detroit casino syndicators