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Judge Allows Casino Boat Seizure

LOUISIANA – As reported by the New Orleans Times Picayune: "A federal judge has agreed to let the Orleans Levee Board seize the storm-damaged Belle of Orleans gambling boat, which is undergoing repairs in Mobile, Ala., after departing the city last month without paying what board attorneys say are delinquent lease payments of nearly $1.3 million.

"U.S. Magistrate Judge William E. Cassady of the Southern District of Alabama signed a Jan. 13 seizure order, clearing the way Tuesday for federal marshals to take possession of the vessel, said Levee Board attorney Frank Milanese.

"Under the court order, Milanese said, the boat's owner, Kentucky hotel operator Columbia Sussex Corp., has 10 days to settle its debt. Failure to do so could result in the public auction of the boat, he said.

"…In a lawsuit filed Friday, the Levee Board alleges that Columbia Sussex, which acquired the Belle of Orleans for $24 million last summer from Caesars Entertainment Inc., missed its last two quarterly lease payments for land, wharf space and water bottoms at the agency's South Shore Harbor marina in eastern New Orleans.

"The quarterly payments were due Nov. 5 and Jan. 5. Along with past-due fees for utilities and penalties, the suit said Columbia Sussex is $1,278,244 in arrears…"

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