Sunday, November 02, 2008

Oddly, Cullens buy home of development partner J.C. Miller

A Warranty Deed recorded on 7.29.08 in Wayne County, Michigan, indicates Matthew P. and Karen A. Cullen purchased a 7,800 square foot home for $1.2 million in Grosse Point Woods from John C. and Karen Miller. The home is located at 1109 Sunningdale Drive, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI. The Cullens purchased the property, adjacent to the Lochmoor Country Club, with a $960,000 mortgage from Quicken Loans, Inc.

In April it was announced that Matt Cullen, a long time senior real estate executive with General Motors, would become President and Chief Operating Officer of Rock Enterprises, an umbrella entity that serves the portfolio of companies and investments owned by Dan Gilbert, including Quicken loans, Inc. and the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers. Karen Cullen is vice president for corporate communications at Ilitch Holdings, Inc.

Matt Cullen and John “J.C.” Miller (J.C. Miller Construction Company, Inc.), along with Tom Vigliotti (Vigliotti Real Estate Investments LLC), are partners in CMV, a company that’s developing an exclusive residential community on the Canadian shoreline of Lake Huron known as HuronCrest Estates.

Matt Cullen formed Cullen Real Estate LLC in May 2003. The entity is registered at 742 Shelden in Gross Pointe Shores, MI.

Miller and Vigliotti developed the Great Lakes Technology Centre in the late 1980s on the site of the former Fisher Body Plant in Flint, MI. While General Motors had leased back significant space in the Centre, ultimately Miller & Vigliotti were forced to sell part of the development to a local Land Bank for $10.

Group controlled by Michigan casino interests launches dishonest robo-calls to influence Barstow elections

A so-called local grassroots campaign committee managed and funded by Michigan casino interests has launched dishonest robocalls into Barstow in an attempt to influence the outcome of Tuesday's local election for Mayor. These are the same kinds of sleazy underhanded tactics that have been used to spread lies and half-truths suggesting that Barrack Obama is really a terrorist or affiliated with Osama Bin Laden.

The pre-recorded robocall messages attempt to blame Barstow Councilman Joe Gomez for the failure by BarWest, a Detroit casino syndicator, to get a casino approved in Barstow. The caller says Gomez told legislators in Sacramento that Barstow didn’t want a casino and is responsible for losing 2,000 jobs in Barstow. That’s simply not true. Gomez’s testimony in Sacramento included no such statement. (See Transcripts). Rather, Gomez is the only candidate for Mayor of Barstow who has supported multiple competing proposals for casino development in Barstow -- not just the schemes by BarWest.

However, Gomez is challenging two-time incumbent Mayor Lawrence Dale, a politician who, since first elected in 2000, has worked tirelessly to guarantee BarWest the exclusive rights to any future casino development in Barstow. In fact, informed observers believe Dale is one of those to be held accountable for the failure to bring a casino to Barstow. Dale has repeatedly taken action to block proposals by other casino developers at all costs. Among other things, he's been called out for violating residents' first-ammendment rights, using his title and City letterhead to represent his personal interests and holding secretive meetings. The transcripts from the Legislative Hearing in question suggest that Mayor Dale's testimony may have been the most damaging to the plans for a casino.

Reports and court documents indicate the political campaign committee responsible for the robocalls, Barstow Citizens for Real Economic Development, is a front group for BarWest.

In 2006, the Committee reported spending close to $200,000 in an unprecedented attempt to influence elections in Barstow; yet it reported raising less than $48,000. Of the money it raised, $40,000 (83%) came in checks from two BarWest principals Michael Malik & Marian Ilitch.

Since the June 2006 Election Primary, the Committee hasn’t reported raising any additional funds and has continued to show a debt of close to $150,000. The debt is the result of close to $150,000 paid in 2006 to vendors and consultants on behalf of the Committee by BarWest operative Tom Shields and his Lansing-based firm Marketing Resources Group (MRG).

Nearly 2.5 years later the Committees’ debt to Shields (MRG) has gone un-reimbursed. And now the Committee is engaging in new expenses.

Was Shields "reimbursed” by unreported sources and if so, who's paying the bills? Is Shields acting as creditor/lender to the Committee? Is the Committee really a "controlled committee" and if so did it fail to appropriately disclose that fromthe beginning?It's naive to think Shields (MRG), an experienced nationally recognized GOP operative, spent $150,000 on behalf of some grassroots committee in Barstow and won't get "paid back."

This isn't the first time those affiliated with BarWest have engaged in sleazy and even unlawful campaign activity. For more than a year and half, the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) has been investigating the lobbying and campaign finance practices of BarWest and its principal Michael Malik. BarWest was previously fined by the FPPC for failing to disclose a $26,600 contribution it made to a GOP Committee in San Joaquin.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Barstow Mayor refers to opponent as "The Mexican"

Apparently olitical name calling isn't reserved exclusivly for the Presidential candidates ...

Barstow Mayor Lawrence Dale, must stand for re-election next Tuesday. Dale, a 72 year-old Kansas native, moved to Barstow in 1975 as an employee of BNSF Railroad. A registered Republican, He was first elected Mayor in 2000 when he defeat incumbent Mayor Katy Yslas-Yent. This election cycle Dale is faced with two opponents.

Locals believe Barstow Councilman Joe Gomez, a Democrat, is a formidable opponent and is the one candidate who could defeat Dale in his bid for re-election. Gomez was elected to the Barstow City Council in 2004. He was born and raised in Barstow. But despite knowing that, Mayor Dale has been overheard publicly referring to Gomez derogatorily as "The Mexican."

When a local community activist confronted Dale about his racist reference at a City Council meeting, Dale simply ignored the activist and failed to defend or deny the charges.

NOTE: Approximately 36% of Barstow's residents are Latino/Hispanic; while 43% are White.

Watch Clip Below

Ilitch promotes Fisher to CFO


Ilitch Holdings, Inc. today said Scott Fisher has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer for the company. President and Chief Executive Officer Christopher Ilitch made the announcement.

"In Scott's nearly 22 years with the Ilitch companies, he has proven to be a team player and valuable asset to our organization," said Ilitch. "He has strong business acumen, solid strategic thinking and leadership skills, and a broad understanding of the businesses -- a combination that we believe will greatly benefit our organization as we move forward."

In his new role, Fisher will continue to report to Ilitch. He maintains oversight of the finance, benefits and treasury management staffs. He takes on responsibility for the internal audit, tax, Information Technology shared services, payroll and risk management functions.

Previously, Fisher was vice president of finance and administration at Ilitch Holdings, Inc., a position he has held since May 2000. Prior to that, he held several finance positions at a number of Ilitch-owned companies including controller at Ilitch Holdings, the Detroit Tigers, Inc. and the Detroit Red Wings. (Complete Press Release)


note: although the press release announcing Fisher's promotion was issued 8.28.08, on 10.30.08 the Ilitch Holdings, Inc. Web site still recorded Fisher as Vice President of Financy & Administration.

Ilitch names cousin as president of family's food distribution service


From a press release issued 10.06.08

Blue Line Foodservice Distribution, an Ilitch-owned company and one of the largest nationwide food service systems distributors in the U.S., today named industry veteran Matthew Ilitch as president of the company. The appointment was announced by Christopher Ilitch, president and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, Inc.

"Matt has tremendous experience in the industry," said Christopher Ilitch. "He knows the food service business inside and out and he recognizes the important role Blue Line plays in the success of its many customers. His understanding of the industry and our organization will serve him well and allow him to continue guiding the tremendous growth at Blue Line."

In his new role, Matt Ilitch will oversee the strategic direction and day-to-day oversight of the distribution company. He will report to Christopher Ilitch.

Matt Ilitch has over 30 years of combined experience at Little Caesars Pizza and Blue Line. Previously, he was vice president of Operations & Distribution for Blue Line. (Complete Press Release)

Ilitch takes over management of theaters at GM Renaissance Center


From a press release issued 9.22.08

Uptown Entertainment, an Ilitch-owned company that operates the Palladium and Birmingham 8 theatres, celebrated the grand opening of the renovated Ren Cen 4 theatres, a four-screen cinema with state-of-the-art sound and projection located in the GM Renaissance Center, on Saturday... Uptown Entertainment is owned by Detroit entrepreneurs Michael and Marian Ilitch. (Complete Press Release)

Standard & Poor's assigns negative credit rating to Ilitch-owned casino company

Standard & Poor's changed its ratings outlook for Ilitch-owned CCM Merger, Inc., from stable to negative on 9.29.08:
    "Ratings on the company, including the 'B' corporate credit rating, were affirmed. The outlook revision reflects our concern regarding the limited cushion with respect to CCM's total leverage covenant and the potential for a violation of this covenant over the near term, as this measure steps down by 0.2x in the first quarter of 2009. Having completed the expansion project at its MotorCity facility, the bank agreement requires that consideration now be given to formerly excluded debt in calculating covenant compliance for the company..."
Standard & Poor's Primary Credit Analyst: Michael Listner can be reaced at michael_listner@standardandpoors.com

Monday, October 27, 2008

Has Rep. Stupak introduced yet another bill for a Bay Mills casino in Port Huron?

10.24.08

City's latest years have been among its most notorious and divisive

By Mike Connell

...Sears joined the exodus to the suburbs, and in 1993, developer Mike Malik proposed turning the vacant Sears building on Michigan Avenue into a $60 million casino.

Malik, a native of Clay Township, envisioned a casino owned by Bay Mills, a Chippewa band from the Sault Ste. Marie area, and managed by Harrah's Casino Hotels of Nevada. The proposal failed on July 13, 1993, when city voters rejected it, 5,120 to 4,751.

A year later, voters in Port Huron Township rejected a similar proposal for a casino off the Water Street interchange of the expressway.

Malik reappeared in 2002, a year after voters endorsed a casino proposal from Don Reynolds, one of the Edison Inn's owners. In August 2002, Gov. John Engler agreed to let Bay Mills create a reservation on the Edison Inn's 15-acre site if the tribe would drop its long-standing claim to a 110-acre parcel at Charlotte Beach on the St. Mary's River.

Numerous efforts to win congressional and presidential approval of the Engler-Bay Mills' deal have failed. A new bill was introduced in May by U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Menominee. As of last week, it remained in the House Natural Resources Committee... (Complete Article)

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Detroit News dashboard demonstrates declining state of Michigan's economy

This dashboard chart below accompanied an article published 9.23.08 in the Detroit News in which the lead paragraph read:

Michigan's economic rank falls
Median income declines as home values shrink more than U.S. average.

"By nearly every measure, Michigan has lost ground economically compared to the rest of the country, according to census figures released today. "

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Barstow Mayor and Detroit Casino Syndicator under investigation; their casino plans dead in Sacramento

Both the Big Lagoon Rancheria and the Los Coyotes Indian tribes have terminated their Sacramento lobbying contracts. And while Barwest LLC engaged Governmental Advocates, Inc. last Spring; the firm, previously engaged by the two tribes, has not reported any payments from BarWest for lobbying activity this year.

This appears to suggest that all efforts in Sacramento to advance a Barstow casino have ceased.

It's reported that the BarWest double billboard, erected at one time on property the Detroit casino syndicators reportedly control in Barstow, has fallen into extremem disrepair and stands as an icon for the state of the Barstow casino project.

Barstow's Mayor Lawrence Dale stands for re-election next month. For the last eight years the Mayor has made the BarWest casino the cornerstone of his plans for economic development in the declining desert town. Now that the casino appears to be dead, what does the Mayor propose to turn around the local economy?

For nearly 19 months, the lobbying and campaign finance reporting practices of BarWest and its principal Michael J. Malik, Sr., have been under investigation in Sacramento. BarWest and its principles injected nearly $200,000 into local Barstow politics in recent years -- that's more than had been spent on politics in Barstow for the entire second half of the 20th Century.

Barstow Mayor Lawrence Dale is reportedly under investigation by the San Bernardino County District Attorney.

Revenues at Ilitch owned MotorCity Casino fall 9.46% in September; down $8 million this year.

According to the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) , MotorCity Casino's revenues for September were down 9.46% as compared to the gambling hall's September 2007 revenues.

For the 12 month period ending September 30, MotorCity Casino's revenues are down nearly $12.8 million (2.63%) as compared to the previous 12 months. Revenues have fallen 9 out of the last 12 months as compared to the same months the previous year.

The Ilitch-owned property opened its expanded gambling hall in June 2007 and a 400-room hotel in November 2007.

The casino/hotel owner Marian Ilitch borrowed nearly $1 billion to acquire, expand, and finance MotorCity Casino.

Both Moody's and Standard & Poor's have been forced to downgrade MotorCity Casino's credit ratings since Ilitch acquired 100% control of the enterprise. Most recently on 9.29.08, Standard & Poor's changed its ratings outlook on CCM Merger, Inc. from stable to negative.

MotorCity Casino is a d/b/a for Detroit Entertainment LLC. CCM Merger, Inc. is the parent of Detroit Entertainment LLC.

MotorCity Casino revenues down 9.46% over 2007

10.08.08

September revenue up at MGM Grand Detroit, down at other two casinos

Nathan Hurst / The Detroit New

DETROIT -- The city's three casinos collected 4.6 percent more revenue this September than last, though only one gambling hall -- MGM Grand Detroit -- saw individual gains.

That's according to the latest figures released Wednesday by the Michigan Gaming Control Board, the state's regulatory agency.

-- MGM Grand Detroit collected $44.8 million last month, up 26.98 percent from September 2007.

-- The Ilitch-owned MotorCity Casino brought in $36.11 million in September, down 9.46 percent from last year.

-- Greektown Casino, which filed for bankruptcy in late May, took in $25.22 million last month, down 4.15 percent from September 2007.

Detroit's casinos collected $106.13 million last month, up from $101.47 in September 2007.

Though revenue was up, the state collected less in taxes -- $9.6 million this September versus $12.3 last year -- because of scheduled tax rollbacks at MGM Grand and MotorCity related to the opening of those two companies' permanent casinos and hotels.

Greektown, the city's smallest casino, will have its permanent facility fully open by early next year.

Find this article at: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081008/ENT08/810080439

Detroit Casino Revnues drop in September

10.10.08

Sept. revenue down for all 3 Detroit casinos


Detroit’s three casinos collectively reported their lowest total monthly revenue for 2008 at $106.1 million for September, according to the latest report from the Michigan Gaming Control Board.

The total was the worst since $110 million in June.

All three casinos showed revenue declines from August, with MGM Grand Detroit Casino dropping from $50 million to $45 million for the month.

MotorCity Casino followed closely at $36 million, down from August’s $41 million.

Greektown Casino L.L.C. had the smallest decline, to $25 million from $27 million in August.

The state collected $9.6 million in wagering taxes for the month, the least collected since June’s $9.8 million.

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

Indianz.com: Judge to consider Shinnecock Nation recognition

10.06.08

A federal judge says he will determine whether the Interior Department has "unreasonably delayed" the Shinnecock Nation of New York from federal recognition.

The tribe submitted its petition to the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1978. Despite being at the top of the list for an answer, the tribe is still waiting.

Judge Joseph F. Bianco will hold a telephone conference tomorrow to determine how to proceed with the case.

Get the Story: Federal judge orders Shinnecocks' case reviewed (Newsday 10/5)

Court Decision: Shinnecock Nation v. Kempthorne (September 30, 2008)

Dykema lobbyists disclose they are behind Ilitch backed plans for Port Huron casino

According to official documents filed on 10.09.2005 with the U.S. Congress, nearly a week after the 110th Congress adjourned, the lobbying/law firm Dykema Gossett disclosed it had been lobbying on behalf of Michael J. Malik's Blue Water Resorts since 09.05.2008.

The official disclosure document indicates that two lobbyists, Nancy Barbour and Elliott Hall (also a lobbyist for Corning, Inc. and Ford Motor Company), were lobbying for the passage of H.R. 2176, a bill that was overwhelmingly defeated a little more than two month earlier (06.25.2008) on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

OpenSecrets.org reports that attorneys affiliated with Dykema Gossett have contributed nearly $320,000 to federal election committees during the 2008 election cycle.

Blue Water Resorts has paid lobbyists at least $585,000. Another Malik controlled casino affiliate MJM Enterprises Development, founded in 1993, has paid lobbyists $710,000. The Bay Mills Indian Community has paid lobbyists $1,670,000. That's a total of almost $3 million to federal lobbyists.

Blue Water Resorts, L.L.C., was formed by Detroit casino syndicator Michael Malik on 07.10.2001. A second entity, Blue Water Resorts Manager, Inc. was formed by a Malik attorney on 09.06.2005. Both entities are believed to be the financing mechanisms for a proposed Port Huron Indian casino that Malik has proposed in partnership with the Bay Mills Indian Community.

Attorneys affiliatd with Dykema Gossett have been intimately involved with Malik's schemes for the proposed Port Huron casino dating back to Gov. John Engler's last term in office; notably, R. Lance Boldrey, a former aide and counselor to Engler who negotiated an agreement between the Bay Mills tribe and the State of Michigan that would pave the way for the off-reservation casino, and Richard McClellan, Engler's close friend and political operative.

Also backing Malik's Port Huron casino scheme are members of Detroit's Ilitch Family (Mike Ilitch & Marian Ilitch). Dykema represented Marian Ilitch in her acquisition of complete control of Detroit's MotorCity Casino in several public offerings intended to raise capital for Ilitch's purchase and expansion of MotorCity Casino. Malik was once a partner in MotorCity Casino but failed to receive a gaming license from the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB).

Malik and senior members of the Ilitch Family have contributed nearly $800,000 to federal campaign committees during their pursuits for a Port Huron casino.

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Google News: Indian Gaming

NEWS: Bay Mills Indian Community & Casino Proposals

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NY Times: Shinnecock Indian Nation

NEWS: Los Coyotes Indian Tribe

NEWS: Los Coyotes / Barwest Barstow Casino Proposals

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certainly must reads!

Ilitch has backed loosing sports teams and pizza, but casinos in Detroit? Forbes.com 10.09.06 ● Marian Ilitch #1 on "25 Most Powerful People" to Watch 2006” global gaming business o1.oo.o5 ● My Kingdom for a Casino Forbes 05.08.06 ● Big Lagoon’s casino dream awakens north coast journal 07.28.05 ● Shinnecocks launch legal claim to Hamptons land newsday.com 06.16.05 ● Ilitch Plans to Expand Casino Empire RGTonline.com 07.05.05 ● Ilitch outbids partners MichiganDaily.com 04.14.05 ● Ilitch enmeshed in NY casino dispute detnews.com 03.20.05 ● Marian Ilitch, high roller freep.com 03.20.05 ● MGM Mirage to Decide on Offer for Casino in Detroit rgtonline.com 04.16.05 ● Secret deal for MotorCity alleged freep.com 02.15.05 ● Los Coyotes get new developer desertdispatch.com 02.08.05 Detroit casino figure to finance Barstow project LasVegasSun.com 07.07.03 ● Indian Band trying to put casino in Barstow signonSanDiego.com 06.04.03 Pizza matriarch takes on casino roles detnews.com 10.23.02 ● Vanderbilt gets short straw in negotiations for a casino Lansing Journal 10.06.02 ● Indians aim to drive family from tribe in vicious dispute san diego union tribune 04.09.00 ●Malik owns 2000 Michigan Quarter Horse of the Year Michigan.gov 01.01.00 ● Detroit Team to run Michigan’s newest Indian casino detnews.com 05.23.99 Tiger ties tangle Marian Ilitch detnews.com 04.29.99 ● Three investors must sell their Detroit casino interests gamblingmagazine.com 04.25.99 ● Partners’ cash revived election; They say money was crucial to Prop-E detnews.com 04.25.99 Investors have troubled histories las vegas review journal 04.27.99 ● Investor served probation for domestic assault on 12 year old boy detnews.com 04.25.99 Can a pair win a jackpot?: local men hope to... crainsdetroit.com 03.17.97

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