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Mississippi Court Reverses Casino Influence-Peddling Case2 November 2001JACKSON, Mississippi – Nov. 2, 2001 –As reported by the Associated Press: " The Mississippi Supreme Court has thrown out a $3 million jury award to developers of a Warren County casino who claimed two casinos exerted influence over regulators to reject their project. "Ameristar and Harrah's casinos in Vicksburg had argued before the Supreme Court in August that they didn't exert undo influence over the Mississippi Gaming Commission's consideration of a proposed gambling house along the Big Black River. "…In October 1999, a Pike County jury awarded more than $3 million to landowner E.L. Pennebaker of Warren County and Jim Belisle of Multi-Gaming Management. "The two had sued over claims that AmSouth Bank, Isle of Capri Casino, Harrah's Casino and Ameristar conspired to influence the Mississippi Gaming Commission to block Multi-Gaming from developing a casino in east Warren County. "The Isle of Capri and AmSouth settled for undisclosed amounts. Harrah's and Ameristar appealed to the Mississippi Supreme Court. "…Attorney Bill Spell of Jackson, who represents Pennebaker, said he would appeal Wednesday's ruling. "…The casinos' attorneys have acknowledged meeting with Gaming Commission officials in private. They said the contacts were legal and part of the commission's open door policy…" |