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Caesars Atlantic City President Should Be Ousted, State Says

"In a scathing 65-page report, Deputy Attorney General James Fogarty listed nearly two dozen instances in which DiBartolomeo violated a restriction banning him from gambling.

"…Unable to bet in Atlantic City casinos because he held a casino key license, the highest level of license in New Jersey, DiBartolomeo twice had a fellow Caesars worker act as his `alter ego' at Trump Plaza, placing blackjack bets for him as he stood by and watched.

"… Jersey casino executives are allowed to gamble, but not in New Jersey casinos. DiBartolomeo, however, was banned from gambling anywhere in 1995, as a condition of the state Casino Control Commission's renewal of his license.

"He also was ordered to attend weekly meetings of Gamblers Anonymous, which he failed to do, according to the state report.

"Park Place Entertainment Corp., which owns Caesars, is standing by its man.

"The company is asking the state Casino Control Commission to let him return to work, provided he continues taking medication, undergoes weekly psychotherapy sessions.

"Wallace Barr, executive vice president of Park Place Entertainment, said DiBartolomeo is the first senior executive in the casino industry ever to publicly admit to compulsive gambling.

"…`Park Place is concerned that Mr. DiBartolomeo's unique human condition is being handled as a law enforcement issue rather than a serious health issue. And this will have far-reaching negative implications for Gary and his family," Barr said.

"…Experts on compulsive gambling said Wednesday that DiBartolomeo should be given another chance.

"…DiBartolomeo and his lawyer, Mark Sandson, criticized the state report, saying it was needlessly harsh and painted a picture of DiBartolomeo as a `monster.'

"He committed no crimes, DiBartolomeo said in a telephone interview Wednesday. He gambled legally, lost and paid his debts with his substantial income, he said.

"…He acknowledged lying and violating the commission's order banning him from gambling, but he said he did so when he was in the throes of the disease.

"…He said he never gambled after being appointed president of Caesars in January…"

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