Controversial Casino Agent Michael J. Malik is a Police Reservist?

According to the MLive.com last year Feds were looking into finances and other curious activity in Oakley, MI and discovered that controversial casino man Michael J. Malik, Sr. is a police reservist in the Saginaw County Village. See documentation uncovered and released by the Feds below. 

Now, why would the 61-year-old millionaire need to have a reservists badge. And more so, why would the Oakley Police be considering a reservist with such strong gambling industry ties.

In 2009 when Malik filled out the application pictured below he described his abilities as:

Business and development skills, 45 years of boating skills on the great lakes, excellent shooting skills, excellent people skills, strong in political skills & contacts, real estate broker.

Lists as friends:

• William Serwer (his lawyer)
• David Gorcyca (former Oakland County prosecutor)
• Bud Halewicz

Malik represented his business as MJM Enterprises Development which he described as a Major Entertainment Development enterprise and says the company was working on casino development in New York, Michigan, California and Antigua. He indicated he also owns World Famous Whitetail Hunting Lodge and Animal Scent Co.

Rep. Tim Bishop (D-NY) Caught Taking More Money from Notorious Law-Breaking Detroit Casino Syndicator

Rep. Tim Bishop (D-NY)

During the 2010 election cycle US Rep. Timothy Bishop (D-NY) came under fire for accepting contributions from Detroiter Michael Malik. After some heel-dragging by the Bishop campaign, it was reported that Rep. Bishop would return the funds he received from Malik. He did not!

Rather, according to records available at OpenSecrets.org, Bishop accepted an additional $2,500 from Malik on March 31, 2011.

Bishop is one of a handful of Long Island politicians helping Malik use the Shinnecock Indian Nation to advance his own schemes to bring gambling ventures convenient to the New York City marketplace.

In recent years, Detroit gambling syndicator Michael Malik, a controversial character with a history of law-breaking, has been:

• Tangled up in a federally prosecuted Ponzi scheme, in partnership with the ringleader who is now a fugitive who has taken asylum in Brazil, and forced to repay $170,000 obtained fraudulently (Golberg v. Malik).
• Found guilty and on suspension for violating Arizona’s firearms laws.
• Found to have violated campaign finance laws repeatedly (2006 & 2009) and fined more than $10,000 for his actions.
• Denied a gaming license by the Michigan Gaming Control Board; reportedly because of federal tax issues and a prior domestic violence arrest and subsequent probation.

US Rep Tim Bishop | Contributions Report

Really? Poor Impoverished Indian Tribes have spent $5.6 million Lobbying for Casinos

An analysis of lobbying records available through opensecrets.org and the U.S. Senate Office of Public Records, three “poor, impoverished” Indian tribes and, or more likely, their casino “investors” have spent $5.6 million lobbying Capitol Hill and federal regulators primarily to approve measures intended to allow off-reservation casinos in Port Huron (MI), Barstow (CA) and Long Island (NY). Complete Breakdown. 

Tribe (& Detroit Partners)*	Total Lobbying Payments
Bay Mills Indian Community (w/ Blue Water Resorts + MJM Enterprises & Development) Port Huron, MI	$2,805,000
Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians (w/ Barwest) Barstow, CA	$180,000
Shinnecock Indian Nation (w/Gateway Casino Resorts) Long Island, NY	$2,335,000

* Does not include Little River Band of Ottawa Indians

These “investors” bankrolling and driving the bids for off-reservation gambling halls are part of several investment syndicates and managers organized by Detroiters Michael Malik and Marian Ilitch.  Their casino syndicates have previously included the likes of Las Vegas-based MGM Mirage and Mandalay Resorts.

Malik is a controversial casino investor who has failed to win approval for a gambling license in his home state of Michigan and has a track record of violating political campaign finance laws and hiring shady Capitol Hill lobbyists.

Mrs. Ilitch bought controlling interest in Detroit’s MotorCity Casino from Las Vegas-based Mandalay Resorts/Mirage in 2005 and which has since seen its credit ratings drop; and along with her husband Mike Ilitch, she co-founded the Little Caesars pizza chain. They own the Detroit Red Wings hockey franchise. Mr. Ilitch owns the Detroit Tigers baseball team.  These and most other Ilitch family affiliates are under the Ilitch Holdings, Inc., umbrella.

Casino Syndicator Michael J. Malik Buys $5.4 Million NYC Penthouse

In Deed! Gambling Mogul on the Waterfront
The New York Observer
4.27.10

The Rushmore

80 Riverside Blvd, PH4A 

New York, NY 10069

--Casino mogul Michael J. Malik, who has been a leading proponent of the legalization of gambling and of building gambling halls, has bought a $5,362,187.64 apartment at The Rushmore at 80 Riverside Boulevard. The penthouse apartment did not appear to currently be on the market but was once listed for $7.3 million. The Michigan-based entrepreneur has also tried to develop a casino in the Hamptons, it has not yet been successful.

Penthouse 4A: 3,056 ft²; 10.5 rooms - 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths; doorman, garage, pool, club, Sundeck; btwn W. 63rd & W. 64th Sts.  Further details at EasyStreet.com

NYC Property Deed

Malik loses Circuit Court appeal; local decision blocking his plans to develop Harsens Island Marina upheld

On 6.02.09, St. Clair County Circuit Court Judge Daniel J. Kelly, denied a Harsens Island land use appeal filed by Michael J. Malik, Sr.'s affiliates Lucky 7 Development LLC and Grand Pointe Development LLC, stating “…the decision of the Planning Commission was lawful and a proper exercise of discretion based on competent material and substantial evidence.” (See Court's Decision)

Lucky 7 Development had petitioned Clay Township for a Special Land Use variance for the Boys’ Club property where Malik wants to build a cluster housing development consisting of 348 units around a 60 acre lagoon/marina, and to cut and re-route a major roadway, North Channel Drive around his development. (See Site Map)

The Clay Township Planning Commission denied that request in February 2008 deciding that “… the proposed development was not in harmony with the existing and intended character of the general vicinity and that such a use would change the essential character of the area...”

In May 2008, Malik filed a lawsuit appealing the Planning Commission's decision.

In May 2008, Malik had petitioned the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for a Marina Permit over the Harsens Island Boys Club property (File 07-74-0161-P). DEQ denied Malik's affiliates the permit on 8.19.08.

See detailed 15 page DEQ Application for Permits.

On 11.08.04, DEQ issued a Wetlands Assessment Report on the Harsens Island Boys Club property in response to a Wetlands Assessment Application made at the time by Malik and another of his affiliates MJM Enterprises & Development. (Federal lobbying disclosures reveal Malik's MJM Enterprises & Development has spent nearly $750,000 lobbying Capitol Hill on casino/gambling matters since 2003).

Malik first proposed developing a large-scale resort centered around a marina on Harsens Island property nearly two decades. A Detroit News headline dated 5.31.89 read: "RESORT PLAN DRAWS ISLANDERS' IRE HARSENS ISLANDERS VOW TO BLOCK PROPOSAL." (See other Detroit News Headlines related to Malik).

Lucky 7 Development LLC was originally established by members of Detroit's Ilitch family.

Malik and Mrs. Marian Ilitch are partners in various gambling and real estate affiliates with plans to build casino resorts in Michigan, New York and California. She owns Detroit's MotorCity Casino and along with her husband Mike Ilitch, they own the Detroit Red Wings and co-founded Little Caesars pizza stores. Mike Ilitch owns the Detroit Tigers.

For more than a decade, Malik (MJM Enterprises & Development/Blue Water Resorts) has bankrolled and spearheaded failed plans by the Bay Mills Indian Community (with a reservation on Michigan's Upper Peninsula) to build a casino resort near Harsens Island in Port Huron, MI.

Although a spokesman for the Ilitch family claims they have no financial interest in the Port Huron schemes, the Ilitch family supports Malik's plans and have contributed thousands of dollars to key Members of Congress who support Malik's plans. They have helped him lobby lawmakers in Lansing and Washington D.C.

Ilitch Malik Gaming Affiliates paid D.C. lobbyists nearly $5 million pushing Indian casinos

(Click table below for larger view)

Updated analysis of federal lobbying expenses from 2002 through 2008 indicate gaming affiliates/partners of Mrs. Marian Ilitch and Michael J. Malik, Sr. paid Washington, D.C., lobbying firms $4,835,000 to advance various plans for Indian casino developments in New York (Shinnecock Indian Nation), Michigan (Bay Mills Indian Community) and California (Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians & Big Lagoon Rancheria). The data was obtained from records onfile with the U.S. Senate Office of Public Records and Opensecrets.org.

Casino Syndicator and Senator failed to make timely, accurate campaign disclosures; investigation ongoing

It took Detroit casino syndicator Michael Malik, Sr., more than 26 months to report he made a $1,000 contribution to California State Senator Roy Ashburn, in the Fall of 2006. And even then, that disclosure doesn’t sync with reports filed by Ashburn’s committee.

Malik reports in amended disclosures filed 12.23.08 that he lives in Detroit, MI 48201; his employer/occupation is MJM Manistee Inc./Developer; and that he contributed $1,000 to “Ashburn for Senate 2006” (ID: 1252371) on 10.18.06.

In a campaign report filed on 1.31.07 for the period from 10.22.06 through 12.31.06, the “Roy Ashburn Senate Committee” reported it received a $1,000 contribution from Michael Malik of Sacramento, CA 95814 on 10.24.06. Ashburn’s report indicates Malik’s employer/occupation is Governmental Advocates, Inc./Owner.

Malik isn't based in Sacramento. He lives and has his businesses in the Detroit area. And he wants to develop casinos in Barstow, CA, among other places.

Governmental Advocates Inc. is a lobbying firm that Malik had hired and was paying under the table to represent two Indian tribes (Big Lagoon Rancheria and Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians) that were partners with Malik’s affiliate BarWest LLC.

It does not appear that Ashburn disclosed the last minute campaign contribution from Malik as required under California political finance rules in any of the Late Contribution Reports (F497) filed by Ashburn’s Committee during October 2006. And Malik didn’t report making any such contribution until December 2008.

During 2006 & 2007 Ashburn championed failed legislation in Sacramento that would have paved the way for Malik and his partner Marian Ilitch to build two casino resorts in Barstow, CA.

Malik originally failed to report more than $26,000 in contributions to California political committees when he filed a report in 2007 for the period 7.01.06 through 12.01.06. Rather he reported under penalty of perjury that he made $0.00 contributions during that period.

For nearly two years, California’s Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) has been investigating Malik’s blatant failure to report these contributions and also irregularities in lobbying payments and practices. The amended 2006 disclosure filed by Malik on 12.23.08 was likely prompted by the ongoing investigation.

Malik failed to report a $26,600 contribution made by BarWest LLC in 2004 and was fined on two counts in 2006.

UPDATED: The web of companies behind Ilitch & Malik casino syndication partners

In addition to the Ilitch Family's established brands (entities that fall under the umbrella of Ilitch Holdings, Inc.), the majority of entities listed below are controlled by or have/had an affiliation with Marian Ilitch, Mike Ilitch, Michael J. Malik or their various partners in casino syndication opportunities.

Records on file with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Development indicate most of these listed entities are registered at one of two locations:

• 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48201 (The Fox Office Centre headquarters of Ilitch Holdings, Inc.); or

• 280 W Maple, Birmingham, MI 48009 (the law offices of Ehrlich, Foley & Serwer).

In most cases, the entities listed here have identified one of the following individuals as its “registered agent” on file with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Development:

• Cheryl Scott-Dube,
• John M. Kotlar,
• Michael J. Malik, Sr.,
• William D. Serwer
• Joseph H. Ehrlich

The following are the many restaurant, entertainment, tourism, gaming and development entities believed to be (or have been) controlled by or affiliated with Marian Ilitch, Mike Ilitch or Michael J. Malik, Sr. The majority of these entities are related to various casino/development projects:

Atwater Casino Group
Atwater Companies, LLC
Atwater Detroit Corp
Atwater Development Company
Atwater Entertainment Associates LLC
Atwater Entertainment Productions, LLC
The Atwater Fund, LLC
Atwater Limousine Service
Atwater Management Corp. (DELLC)
Ballpark Operations Management, Inc.
Barstow Citizens for Real Economic Development
Barwest Gaming
Barwest Holdings, LLC
BarWest LLC
Barwest Manager, Inc.
Barwest, Inc.
Blue Line Distributing, Inc.
Blue Line Foods, Inc.
Blue Line Foodservice Distribution
Blue Water Equities, L.L.C.
Blue Water Holdings I, LLC
Blue Water Resorts Manager, Inc.
Blue Water Resorts, LLC
Border Crossing South, LLC
Caesar Fund Inc.
Cass Avenue LLC
Casino Funding Enterprises LLC
CB Property Holdings, Inc.
CB Property Investments LLC (Charlotte Beach)
CCM Merger, Inc (merged with Circus Circus Michigan)
CCM Merger Sub, Inc.
Champion Foods
Christopher P. Ilitch Revocable Trust
Chromatics (a DELLC dba)
Citizens For Fair & Responsible Gaming (a DELLC dba)
City Theater
Classic Buffet (a DELLC dba)
Classics Buffet (a DELLC dba)
Club Metro (a DELLC dba)
Club Metro Signature (a DELLC dba)
Cobo Arena (an Olympia Entertainment dba)
Dellc or DELLC (Detroit Entertainment LLC dba)
Detroit Entertainment LLC (dba MotorCity Casino, etc.)
Detroit Tigers, Inc.
Detroit Tigers Latin American Operations, Inc.
Detroit Red Wings
Downriver Properties & Land Development, Inc.
Elizabeth Street Properties LLC
Empire Associates, LLC
Empire Ventures, LLC
The Fox Theater (an Olympia Entertainment dba)
Gaming Entertainment Michigan (GEM) LLC
Gateway Casino Resorts, LLC (Hamptons/Long Island, NY Casino)
Gateway Funding Associates
Gateway Holdings, LLC
Gateway Manager, Inc.
Grand River Deli (a DELLC dba)
GP Development LLC
Hawaii Entertainment Associates, LLC
Hawaiian Manager, LLC
Holomua Hawaii
High Octane Café (a DELLC dba)
Hockeytown Cafe (an Olympia Entertainment dba)
I.E. Enterprises
IH Gaming, Inc. (successor of Circus Circus Michigan, Inc.)
IH Indemnity, LLC
IH Management, Inc.
I.H. Management, L.L.C.
Ilitch Holdings, Inc.
Innkeepers Managment LLC (owns Thomas Edison Inn)
Iridescence Experience (a DELLC dba)
Iridescence Restaurant (a DELLC dba)
Joe Louis Arena (an Olympia Entertainment dba)
JR Property Holdings, LLC (Heather Lufkins Robinson lawsuit)
J.R. Michigan LLC (Johnny Rockets)
Lakeland Tigers Food Service, Inc.
LC/CS Westland Inc. (Little Caesars/Chicken Shack)
LCB Barwest Holdings, LLC
LCB Barwest Manager, Inc.
LCB Barwest, LLC
Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc. (multiple dba's)
Little Caesars International (See: List of 28 Other Assumed Names)
Little Caesars Pizza
Malik Developments Co
M&M Ventures, Inc.
M & M Ilitch Holdings, Inc. (est. 1997; changed name to Ilitch Holdings, Inc. in 2001)
M & M Realty Holdings, LLC
M & M Realty Holdings II, LLC
Michael Ilitch Trust
Michael J. Malik, Sr. Revocable Living Trust
MJM Bay Mills, Inc
MJM Blue Water, LLC
MJM Blue Water Investors, LLC
MJM Border Holdings, Inc.
MJM Charlotte Beach, LLC
MJM Consulting Associates, LLC
MJM Development Holdings, LLC (?) Delaware 8/21/06
MJM Enterprises
MJM Enterprises Development Co. (North American Gaming
Company)
MJM Interactive Venture, LLC
MJM Investments, LLC
MJM Manager, Inc.
MJM Manistee Inc.
MJM Music Productions, LLC
MJM Pleasant Family Holdings, LLC
MJM Retail Ventures, LLC
MJM Royal Properties, LLC
MJM Security Venture, LLC
MLC Financial Corporation
MM Annuity I, LLC
MM Annuity II, LLC
MM Family Mineral Ventures, LLC (Michael Malik)
MM Holdings, LLC
MMI Holdings LLC
MRS Holding Company, LLC
Moose Building, LLC
MotorCity Casino (a Detroit Entertainment LLC dba)
MotorCity e-cash (a DELLC dba)
MotorCity Memories (a DELLC dba)
MotorCity Millionaires (a DELLC dba)
MotorCity Pit Stop (a DELLC dba)
MCC Radio (a DELLC dba)
MCC Records (a DELLC dba)
MCC Recording Studio (a DELLC dba)
MotorCity Casino Radio (a DELLC dba)
MotorCity Casino Records (a DELLC dba)
MV Land Holdings, LLC
North American Gaming Company (MJM Enterprises Development Company)
Northern Michigan Food Services Company
Olympia Arenas, Inc.
Olympia Aviation, LLC (Tigers/Red Wing Airplane)
Olympia Building Corp.
Olympia Development, LLC
Olympia Development of Michigan, LLC
Olympia Entertainment, Inc.
Olympia Entertainment Overdrive (a DELLC dba)
Olympia Entertainment Tiger Ballpark, Inc. (dba Comerica Park)
Olympia Land Holdings, LLC
Paradice Entertainment and Gaming, LLC
Paradice Feed Company, LLC
Paradice Hunt Club
Paradice Hunt Club II, LLC
Paradice Marketing and Sales, LLC
PKC, L.L.C.
PKC, L.L.C. of Michigan
Ren Cen 4 Theaters, Inc.
Renegade Charters, LLC
Renegade Charters Manistee, LLC
Second-City, Detroit (an Olympia Entertainment dba)
Seven I's Inc.
Seven I's Realty Holdings, LLC
Signature Club (a DELLC dba)
Taillights (a DELLC dba)
The Atwater Fund, LLC
Tres Vite, Inc.
TS Ventures (Twist & Shout Gourmet Pretzels)
Uptown Entertainment
Vapors (a DELLC dba)
West Grand River Lofts, LLC
X.R.N. L.L.C.
Z.L.M. Corporation
Z.L.M. L.L.C.
Z.R.X. L.L.C.

Please contact us via comment or email if you have questions or wish to suggest additions or corrections to these lists. Thanks to all those who have provide insight and information that's helped build this list.

Rep. Hastings FEC disclosures falsely identify Detroit casino syndicator as employee of lobbying firm

Campaign finance disclosures submitted to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) by the re-election committee of Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL 23rd) indicates a Michael J. Malik contributed $2,000 to Hastings' committee on 10.10.08. The official report filed with the FEC indicates Malik is employed as a Developer by Wheat Government Relations [a D.C. lobbying firm] and identifies Malik's address at 1201 South Ends [sic] Street, Suite Two, Arlington, Virginia, 22202.

Wheat Government Relations' Web site does not identify an employee named Malik and there is no one named Michael Malik registered as a lobbyist with Wheat Government Relations.

There is a Detroit casino syndicator named Michael J. Malik, Sr. whose gaming affiliates include MJM Enterprises & Development, Blue Water Resorts, Gateway Casino Resorts, and BarWest, LLC. The later three are Wheat Government Relations' clients. Blue Water and Gateway are "affiliated organizations" known to be paying the bills and directing lobbying for two Indian tribes respectively that are also registered as Wheat clients: Bay Mills Indian Community and Shinnecock Indian Nation.

During the 110th Congress, Rep. Hastings was senior member of the House Rules Committee, chairman of the Legislative and Budget Process Subcommittee; chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission); and co-chairman of the Florida congressional delegation.

Lobbyists pushing casino related bill previously rejected in the House of Representatives

Although H.R. 2176 was overwhelmingly defeated in the U.S. House of Representatives on 6.25.08 (2nd Quarter '08):

• Blue Water Resorts, LLC, paid $40,000 to Wheat Government Relations to lobby in support of H.R. 2176 during the 3rd Quarter '08.



• Blue Water Resorts, LLC, engaged Dykema Gossett in 3rd Quarter '08 to lobby in support of H.R. 2176.



• Patton Boggs LLP, Zell & Cox P.C., and Wheat Government Relations all filed 3rd Quarter '08 lobbying disclosures indicating they were pushing support for the passage of H.R. 2176 on behalf of the Bay Mills Indian Community. Wheat reports being paid $20,000 during the 3rd Quarter but failed to report whether or not an affiliate, Blue Water Resorts, was paying the tribe's bill.



• Franklin Creek Consulting and Potomac Partners DC reported they had lobbied on behalf of MJM Enterprises in support of legislation to support the land claims settlements described in H.R. 2176. Potomac Partners reported being paid $10,000 by MJM Enterprises but failed to disclose whether or not affiliate Blue Water Resorts was paying MJM's lobbying bills.

Sources: OpenSecrets.org; Lobbying Disclosure Act Data Base

Casino backers have given more than $40k to Rep. Bart Stupak

Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI 1st) has authored various bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would ultimately allow the Bay Mills Indian Community and its financial backers to build a casino in Port Huron, Michigan. That tribe already has two casinos on its reservation in Northern Michigan.

During the 110th Congress Stupak authored H.R. 2176 (Related Bills: H.RES.1298, H.R.3048, H.R.4115) which was approved by the House Natural Resources Committee in February 2008 but was defeated overwhelmingly in a vote of the full House in June 2008.

Casino syndicator Michael J. Malik, Sr., and members of Detroit's Ilitch family (they own the Detroit Red Wings, Little Caesars Pizza, Detroit Tigers and MotorCity Casino) are behind the scheme to develop a Port Huron casino.

Several D.C. lobbying firms including Wheat Government Relations (Alan Wheat, Julie Shroyer and others) and Potomac Partners DC (Richard Alcalde & Daniel Feliz) have been retained by their affiliates and partners (Bay Mills Indian Community, MJM Enterprises, Blue Water Resorts).

Collectively they have contributed at least $39,900 to Stupak's political committees. They've raised thousand more for Stupak via business associates, vendors, attorneys, consultants and other friends. (See Contributions Details)

A report available at CampaignMoney.com indicates that Stupak also received another $3,500 directly from the Bay Mills Indian Community. Because generally federal political contributions are restricted to individuals and most data base tracking services are not set up to track contributions from organizations, it is often difficult to track contributions from Indian tribes. Tribes are exempt from the rules that apply to most other organizations and corporations.

Ehrlich, Foley & Serwer: Michael Malik's primary corporate attorneys

Attorney William D. Serwer has served/serves as Resident Agent for these entities believed to be affiliated with Detroit casino syndicator Michael Malik:

• Barwest, L.L.C. (Barstow, CA Casino)
• Blue Water Resorts Manager, Inc. (Port Huron, MI Casino)
• CB Property Holdings, Inc. (CB = Charlotte Beach)
• CB Property Investments, L.L.C.
• LCB Barwest, L.L.C. (Barstow, CA Casino)
• Gateway Casino Resorts, L.L.C. (Shinnecock, NY Casino)
• JR Property Holdings, L.L.C. (JR = Michael J. Malik, Jr.)
• MJM Charlotte Beach, L.L.C.
• MJM Enterprises Development Company (formerly North American Gaming Company)
• MJM Interactive Venture, L.L.C.
• MJM Security Venture, L.L.C.
• MV Land Holdings, L.L.C. (Malik & Vigliotti)

Serwer prepared and filed the original or amended articles of organizations for the following Malik affiliated entities (Malik serves as Resident Agent for these affiliates):

• Blue Water Holdings I, L.L.C.
• Blue Water Resorts, L.L.C.
• Hawaii Entertainment Associates, LLC
• Lucky 7 Development, L.L.C.
• MJM Bay Mills, Inc.
• MJM Blue Water, L.L.C.
• MJM Blue Water Investors, LLC
• MJM Border Holdings, L.L.C.
• MJM Royal Properties, L.L.C.
• Renegade Charters, L.L.C.

Serwer is a partner in the Birmingham, MI, law firm Ehrlich, Foley & Serwer. His partners are Joseph H. Ehrlich and Fred A. Foley.

Fred Foley formed MJM Manistee, Inc. another Malik affiliate.

Joseph Ehrlich represented Marian Ilitch before the Michigan Gaming Control Board during her acquisition of MGM/Mirage Resort Group’s shares of MotorCity Casino in 2005.

Amended D.C. lobbying reports show payments were made by Detroit casino syndicators

Now that the House of Representatives has rejected the Bay Mills Indian Community's plans for a Port Huron casino, D.C. lobbying firm Akerman Senterfitt has filed an amended lobbying registration form revealing that bills for its client Bay Mills Indian Community are being paid Blue Water Resorts, an enterprise controlled by Detroit casino syndicator Michael J. Malik, Sr.

Another firm, Potomac Partners DC (lobbyists Richard Alcalde and Daniel Feliz) filed a similar amendment in April indicating Blue Water Resorts was paying the lobbying bills for Potomac Partners DC's client MJM Enterprises, also an entity controlled by Malik.

Blue Water Resorts was formed by Malik in 2001. Malik's business partner includes Mrs. Marian Ilitch, owner of Detroit's MotorCity Casino, Detroit Red Wings and Little Caesars Pizza.

Ilitch partner fronted more than $50,000 in travel, etc. for key Members of Congress

During the 2006 election cycle Michael Malik and his affiliates (Barwest LLC and MJM Manistee, Inc.) fronted more than $52,668 in travel, catering, gifts & entertainment for Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Reps. Don Young (R-AK), Richard Pombo (R-CA) and Bart Stupack (D-MI). And that's what got reported!

More than 78 percent of those dollars went to pay for the expenses of Young and Pombo.

During the '04 & '06 election cycles, members of the Ilitch family and Malik also contributed more than $510,00 to these elected officials and other federal political committees. They were among top donors to Stabenow, Pombo and Young.

Each of these Members of Congress sponsored key bills granting approvals for Malik (and his partner Marian Ilitch) to build off-reservation Indian casinos.

Date (linked: OpenSecrets.org) – Recipient – Donor – Amount – Description
2005.01.25 – Don Young - Barwest LLC - $5,817 – Air travel expense

2005.07.11 – RICH PAC - Malik, Michael Sr. - $5,000 – Inkind

2005.07.11 - America’s Leadership PAC (Stabenow) - Malik, Michael - $4,000 - Reimbursement - Event Tickets

2005.07.12 – America’s Leadership PAC (Stabenow) - MJM Manistee, Inc. - $1,400 -Catering

2005.07.12 - America’s Leadership PAC (Stabenow) - Malik, Michael - $5,000 - Event Tickets & Site Rental

2005.07.15 - America’s Leadership PAC (Stabenow) - Malik, Michael - $500 - Reimbursement - Gifts for Donors

2005.09.14 – RICH PAC - Malik, Michael Sr. - $16,064 - PAC fundraiser-event rental/transportation

2005.09.14 – RICH PAC - MJM Manistee, Inc. - $10,469 PAC fundraiser-catering/hotel 09/14/05

2005.10.07 – Don Young - Malik, Michael - $3,978 – Air travel

2006.10.16 – Bart Stupak - MJM Manistee Inc. - $440 – Tailgate Event

More on lobbyist's relationship with Rep. Young

According to reports from the McClatchy Washington Bureau:

A-Team lobbyist Rick Alcalde (Richard Alcalde) was never a staffer to Rep. Don Young (R-AK). He lobbied for the 2005 earmark that shifted $10 million from a road-widening project in southwest Florida to a study of an interstate interchange (Coconut Road) that would benefit Daniel Aronoff, a Michigan developer who raised money for Young.

That earmark mushroomed into a national controversy in part because it was placed in the highway bill, by someone on Young's staff, after the House and Senate had voted on the bill but before it went to the president for his signature.

Young has said he supported the money because local residents and Florida Gulf Coast University requested money for the project. Alcalde has lobbied for both Florida Gulf Coast University and Aronoff's real estate firm, the Landon Companies. Lobbying disclosures show that in 2005, the Landon Companies paid Alcalde $80,000 specifically to lobby on Young's highway bill.

Now Alcalde finds himself at the heart of an official investigation into the Coconut Road earmark matter.

Mike Anderson, Young's chief of staff, said Young doesn't make decisions based on lobbying and his relationship with Alcalde is personal.

"If Rick Alcalde could talk to you on the phone he would tell you that when he was a youngster and so forth he was kind of a rabble-rouser and everything else. The Youngs looked out for him," Anderson said. "And that goes back to the relationship the Youngs have with Mr. Alcalde, with Hector, (Rick's) father and his mother. When Rick went through some tough times and so forth the Youngs were there to help him, to kind of give him some of that guidance he needed. ... Rick credits the Youngs with being a mentor."

Hector Alcalde, Rick's father, is a longtime, top-tier Washington, D.C., lobbyist.

Rick Alcalde represents Michael Malik's affiliates MJM Enterprises and Blue Water Resorts. He also represents Malik's partner the Shinnecock Indian Nation.

Prior to starting the lobbying firm Potomac Partners D.C. in 2005, Alcalde represented the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and Station Casinos as well as the Detroit International Bridge company. Malik has ties to all three of those entities.

Former controversial PAC treasurer Bonfiglio is Pfizer PAC secretary

Barbara Bonfiglio, the controversial attorney/lobbyist/PAC treasurer who'd previously been at the D.C. lobbying/law firm Williams & Jensen is now Senior Corporate Counsel at the drug-maker Pfizer, Inc.

In 2003, Bonfiglio signed casino syndicator Michael Malik (MJM Enterprises & Development) as a client of Williams & Jensen. Malik paid Bonfiglio $220,000 between 2003 & 2005. Malik had matters before committees chaired by Reps. Richard Pombo, Don Young and Jerry Lewis -- Bonfigilio served as treasurer/advisor to these members' leadership PACs.

TPM Muckracker reported that Bonfiglio abruptly left Williams & Jensen in March 2006 and resigned as treasurer/advisor to various PACs and fundraising committees for Sen. Rick Santorum and Reps. Tom DeLay, Richard Pombo, Jerry Lewis, Don Young and others. She was subpoenaed at least once, in 2004, in connection with the DeLay scandals.

The Pfizer PAC's 2005-2006 Published Report notes that Bonfiglio was Secretary of Pfizer PAC. During the 2006 election cycle, Pfizer PAC contributed $3,678,493 to federal committees.

Among the small army of lobbying firms employed by Pfizer, Inc., Bonfiglio's former law/lobbying firm Williams & Jensen. Serving as one of Pfizer's lobbyists at W&J is Susan Hirschmann (DeLay's former Chief of Staff). The ladies are apparently close personal friends.

Bonfiglio reported that Hirschmann was a lobbyist for Malik's MJM Enterprises & Development between 2003 & 2005.

Bonfiglio, Senior Corporate Counsel in the D.C. offices of Pfizer, was listed among the "Distinguished Faculty" who spoke at the American Conference Institute's 2008 Corporate Lobbying and Government Affairs Conference.

Bonfiglio contributed $26,722 to various federal committees and PACs since 2005.

Funny business in D.C. lobbying reports by those backing Port Huron off-reservation casino scheme

With the funny business in lobbying reporting by individuals including former House Natural Resources Committee Aide Thomas "Tom" Brierton (he worked under former Rep. Richard Pombo, Rep. Don Young and others); are those behind Michael J. Malik, Sr.'s suspect Charlotte Beach Indian land claims and scheme for an off-reservation casino in Port Huron, Michigan, pushing hard for a floor vote in the House before the 2nd quarter lobbying disclosure reports are due?

Lobbyist for off-reservation casino scheme finally discloses former affiliation with House Natural Resources Committee

Tom Brierton, a one time senior aide to former Rep. Richard Pombo, Rep. Don Young and others has been lobbying in support of H.R. 2176, a bill that would allow a Detroit casino syndicator Michael J. Malik, Sr., to finally build an off-reservation casino in Port Huron, Michigan.

While Brierton had been lobbying for Malik since at least the beginning of February, he didn't report he had been retained by Malik's MJM Enterprises (Blue Water Resorts) until 6.13.08. In that disclosure document, Brierton failed to disclose he was at one time a senior staffer to the House Natural Resources Committee. Back in February, the Natural Resources Committee voted in favor of H.R. 2176.

Brierton only filed lobbying disclosures after TVT reported rumors on 6.11.08 that Brierton, a one-time aide to former Rep. Pombo and Rep. Don Young, had been lobbying hard in the House of Representatives for support of H.R. 2176.

However, in quarterly reports required of Capitol Hill lobbyists and filed by Brierton on 6.17.08, Brierton indicates that he was previously a senior policy advisor to the House Resources Committee. First Quarter Lobbying reports were due in April; but Brierton didn't file until June.

Brierton's disclosures come four months after his former colleagues voted in support of H.R. 2176 -- at least four and a half months after he started lobbying House offices in favor of H.R. 2176.

Is former Rep. Richard Pombo working to advance the interests of Detroit casino syndicators?

Although he has yet to file official disclosure documents, Capitol Hill insiders are reporting that former Rep. Richard Pombo has been retained to represent interests of Michael J. Malik, Sr. and Mrs. Marian Ilitch.

Pombo who failed to win re-election to his 8th term in Congress back in November 2006, was prohibited from lobbying for at least 12 months.

Pombo has been employed as Senior Partner at PAC/West Communications, "a full service political public relations firm with offices from California to Washington, D.C., since 2006."

Detroit casino syndicators Michael Malik and the Ilitch Family were among Pombo's top political donors. They hosted a controversial fundraiser for Pombo at Major League Baseball's 2005 All-Star Game in Detroit. The fundraiser was scheduled two days before the Pombo-chaired House Resources Committee was scheduled to hear matters involving Malik/Ilitch Native American Partners. They flew him around in their private jets. They raised thousands more from friends, associates and vendors to their various business enterprises. A casino entity they formed to develop casinos in California was fined in 2006 for failing to report a $26,000+ contribution to Pombo's local GOP Victory Committee.

• A Case of Abramoff-Lite: Pombo was doing favors for his Motor City Casino friends


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


• Detroit casino syndicators made large investment in Pombo


• Richard Pombo's former patrons might shed light on his future


• Motown's Team Ilitch tops Abramoff on Congressman's "Top 10 List"

Richard Pombo

Originally posted 2/12/08

Michael Malik reports a quarter of a million dollars in personal political contributions

Michael J. Malik, Sr. - reports nearly $250,000 in Federal campaign contributions:

• 2008 Contribution Count/Amount = 14/$62,500
• 2006 Contribution Count/Amount = 17/$89,650
• 2004 Contribution Count/Amount = 34/$93,887
• 2002 Contribution Count/Amount = 2/$2,000
• 2000 Contribution Count/Amount = 1/$1,000

SOURCE: PoliticalMoney.com