Mob Connections Sink Riverboat Casino Owner's Reputation

CHICAGO, Illinois -- As reported by the Chicago Tribune: "The Illinois Gaming Board on Tuesday ordered a Chicago developer to sell his interest in the Casino Queen riverboat in East St. Louis
The Casino Queen  because of his past ties to a known associate of organized crime.

"The developer, Gerard Kenny, a partner in the new Mandarin Oriental Tower near Millennium Park, has 30 days to sell his shares, the board ruled.

"The Tribune reported in 2005 that Kenny had a business venture with Leonard J. Mercer Jr., a convicted felon who had been identified by authorities in New Jersey as an associate of organized crime.

"Mercer was Kenny's original partner in the deal to build the Mandarin Oriental, but Kenny said Tuesday that Mercer withdrew from the deal early on.

"...'The board will not tolerate people with notorious or unsavory reputations getting licenses or participating in the gaming industry in the state of Illinois,' Gaming Board Chairman Aaron Jaffe said during the meeting..."