Louis "Alleged" DeNaples, owner of the Poconos Mount Airy casino, was indicted today for lying about his ties to organized crime. (And, even that piece of crap wannabe paper in Scran'en had to take notice.) The Gaming Board has already suspended his license but is permitting the Casino he owns to continue to operate.
Showing posts with label Denaples. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Denaples. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Smoke, Meet Fire: State Charges DeNaples Priest with Perjury
The Scranton Catholic Priest who testified on behalf of Louis "Alleged" DeNaples was arrested today on charges of lying to the Grand Jury investigating DeNaples. According to AP reports, Joseph Sica, the priest, was charged with lying to the grand jury when he testified that he didn't have a relationship with mob boss Russell Bufalino.
Photo Credit: "Alleged" DeNaples and Sica, Pocono Record file photo
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Louis "Alleged" DeNaples is Shocked!
Immediately before opening the doors to his new slots parlor in the Poconos, Louis "Alleged" DeNaples held a press conference. In the midst of his crowing, and of taking the congratulations from his "family", he was Shocked! that a reporter would ask him about the grand jury investigation into the possibility (vehemently denied) that he is a friend of theirs.
As reported in the Pocono Record, "Alleged" DeNaples angrily cut short a press conference when a journalist had the bad taste to ask about something more newsworthy than the $20,000 an hour in after-tax gross profit that "Alleged" was about to rake in on his first day:
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board gave the $412 million casino permission to open after two successful dry runs over the weekend, even as its owner, Louis DeNaples, remains a focus of a grand jury investigation.
A Dauphin County grand jury has been investigating whether DeNaples misled the gaming board when he said he had no connections to organized crime.
If the board learns that it was misled by a licensee, it can revoke the license.
A press conference with DeNaples ended abruptly Monday when a reporter asked him if he has ties to organized crime.
"I'm not interested in that type of question," DeNaples said, and walked away.
As reported in the Pocono Record, "Alleged" DeNaples angrily cut short a press conference when a journalist had the bad taste to ask about something more newsworthy than the $20,000 an hour in after-tax gross profit that "Alleged" was about to rake in on his first day:
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board gave the $412 million casino permission to open after two successful dry runs over the weekend, even as its owner, Louis DeNaples, remains a focus of a grand jury investigation.
A Dauphin County grand jury has been investigating whether DeNaples misled the gaming board when he said he had no connections to organized crime.
If the board learns that it was misled by a licensee, it can revoke the license.
A press conference with DeNaples ended abruptly Monday when a reporter asked him if he has ties to organized crime.
"I'm not interested in that type of question," DeNaples said, and walked away.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
That's the Way it Works Here, Kids
Hey, thanks for checking in.
After an extended absence from the keyboard, we're hopeful that, with a little more fiber in the old diet, we'll be much more regular again.
First on the radar screen is an old story, an old story line, and just a little bit 'o irony.
For the old story, Louis "I am not a crook" DeNaples' handed out over a million bucks to Rendel and Mellow and their friends and PACs, and thosepurchases, err, donations, seem to have paid off. His Mount Airy Casino opens to the public on Monday and, for the time-being at least, he'll not have a grand jury probe whispering behind his back -- thanks to the peculiar brand of political justice seemingly available to every well-connected bag 'o bucks in the good old Commonwealth.
After an extended absence from the keyboard, we're hopeful that, with a little more fiber in the old diet, we'll be much more regular again.
First on the radar screen is an old story, an old story line, and just a little bit 'o irony.
For the old story, Louis "I am not a crook" DeNaples' handed out over a million bucks to Rendel and Mellow and their friends and PACs, and those
No sooner had the intrepid gambling board given Denaples the green light, notwithstanding his felony fraud conviction and "oft-denied" mob-connections, two independent probes were launched. The federal probe cost the job of a US Attorney who's office was involved into the probe of DeNaples' mob-ties, despite the fact the the US Attorney had given a secret letter of recommendation attesting to his old pal Louis' integrity.
Earlier this month, Pennsylvania Supreme Court "Justice", Ron Castille, secretly granted DeNaples' request that the grand jury be put on ice. Predictably, the secret got out and, omigosh, it was a snafu, never meant it to be a secret . . . yeah, well.
And here's the old story line . . . . The Denaples petition is an unusual one. Under the rules of the Pa Supreme Court, it is referred to a single "Justice" for decision. The "Justice" responsible for receiving those petitions rotates periodically. The DeNaples petition got to Castille's desk just as he rotated into the assignment.
Coincidence? Well, kids, this is Pennsylvania, remember? This story can't be just one slight, ru n of the mill coincidence; nope, here it has got to be a stunning, credulity-stretching, mudda of a coincidence.
The DeNaples petition was drafted and signed by his lawyer, Richard Sprague. And here comes your mudda of a coincidence -- turns out that Dick Sprague's law school roommate was (alleged) "Justice" Ron Castille. (Seems that the only one in the state who noticed that little bit of coincidence was John Baer. Thankfully, there still are a few good journalists around the state.)
Welcome to Pennsylvania.
Oh, the irony I promised?
Guess who got an invite the other day to the Mount Airy private run-through opening tonight?
I was as shocked as anyone. I've never used a slot machine before, but knowing that it is all going to charity and none to Louis "alleged" DeNaples, well, that's just sweet coincidence.
UPDATE:
A tip 'o the hoagie to John Micek for the lead on this one:
"This is Pennsylvania. Things of this nature don't happen in Pennsylvania except because of deals and corruption . . . . This is like putting out a sign to legitimate business people at the borders of Pennsylvania saying better pay up before you come to do business in pennsylvania. That's not the kind of reputation we need." -- PA State Senator --Jeff Piccola(10/21/07) on how Louis “Alleged” DeNaples got his slots parlor.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Pretend Newspaper Distracts and Misinforms Readers on DeNaples
As if on cue, today's version of the Scran'en fairy tales for adults finally includes some local reporting on the DeNaples probe.
As per usual for the hacks on that paper, the droning report contains no news. It is little more than a list of people seen going in and out of the courthouse (most of whom they don't even bother to talk to after their appearance) where the grand jury is examining the local felon's reputed ties to organized crime, alleged lies on his slots application, and purported illegal donations.
But that information is apparently too sensitive for the readers of this pretend newspaper, as the article fails to even detail what the grand jury is investigating.
But, we are accustomed to the wannabe newspaper's inability to master the most basic of journalism skills. It is what they sneak in at the very end of the piece that sums up what talentless imbeciles are running and writing for that piece of tripe.
As per usual for the hacks on that paper, the droning report contains no news. It is little more than a list of people seen going in and out of the courthouse (most of whom they don't even bother to talk to after their appearance) where the grand jury is examining the local felon's reputed ties to organized crime, alleged lies on his slots application, and purported illegal donations.
But that information is apparently too sensitive for the readers of this pretend newspaper, as the article fails to even detail what the grand jury is investigating.
But, we are accustomed to the wannabe newspaper's inability to master the most basic of journalism skills. It is what they sneak in at the very end of the piece that sums up what talentless imbeciles are running and writing for that piece of tripe.
Typically for this rag, the piece is salted with apologies for DeNaples -- not surprising since this lousy paper has already declared DeNaples clean and they aren't about to let something like a dual Federal/State investigation call their "news reporting" into question.
So, for example, they rush to point out that one of the people testifying before the grand jury won a defamation case against the Wilkes-Barre Citizen's Voice newspaper last year over an article that suggested the witness was linked to the Federal investigation of NEPA's mob. Of course, that was an unrelated investigation, but the mention serves the purpose of watering down the current investigation. What is stunning is what these no-talent rejects from the Weekly World News elected to leave out of their reporting.
Here's what they said:
"In 2006, a Luzerne County judge awarded Mr. Joseph $3.5 million in a defamation suit against The Citizens' Voice and its parent company over stories published in the wake of the federal raids on Mr. Joseph's Mountaintop home and at least one of his businesses."
What they leave out is that the "parent company" of the Voice and the Scran'en pretend newspaper are one in the same. A real reporter would have disclosed that, but, as we have learned before, the Lynett family, which owns the papers, appears to reject journalistic ethics and seem to ensure that the hacks who work for them are either unable to tell the difference or don't care. (An early-morning inquiry to the "reporter" has not been returned.)
How REAL newspapers have covered the story:
Priest, ex-prosecutor go before grand jury, Philly Daily News, 8/30/07
Priest talks to DeNaples grand jury, Allentown Morning Call, 8/30/07
Allies show as grand jury meets, Philly Daily News, 8/30/07
Denaples' priest faces grand jury, Allentown Morning Call, 8/29/07
More connections emerge between grand jury, Pa. casino licensee, Philly Daily News, 8/29/07
5 witnesses testify in DeNaples probe, Allentown Morning Call, 8/29/07
'Independent' panel members remain unknown, Philly Daily News, 8/28/07
Several appear before grand jury over slots, Allentown Morning Call, 8/28/07
Prosecutor in DeNaples probe to resign, sources say, Allentown Morning Call, 8/23/07
DeNaples link prompts Marino to withdraw from mob probe, Allentown Morning Call, 8/21/07
Marino-DeNaples ties led prosecutor to pull out of probe, Allentown Morning Call, 8/20/07
Sources: Mount Airy owner focus of U.S., state investigation, Allentown Morning Call, 8/19/07
UPDATE: Also on the beat:
The DeNaples story blows up while the Scranton Times sleeps, Noertheast PA Media News
The Electric Connection, Truth, Lies & Peace
And a tip 'o the hoagie to GettysBlog for this golden oldie and the apt (especially considering this) Godfather quote:
"The Pope, the Holy Father himself, has this very day blessed Michael Corleone; an' you think you know better than the Pope?"
--Dominic Abbandando
(Michael's PR Advisor, son of Genco) to reporters (Godfather III).
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Scran'en Times Ignores DeNaples Probes
The two or tree of you out there who regularly read this space might recall that I've mentioned the apparent lack of ethics and journalistic talent on that pretend newspaper in Scran'en. Like in Trashing the First Amendment, or in A Matter of Integrity, and here, and here, here, too, and, of course, here, among other places.
Having successfully shilled for their bosses' boy in the last Senatorial primary and election, the non-journalists at the Scran'en Times have recently been busy covering up the recurring problems of local felon Louis DeNaples and the joint Federal/State probes into whether he lied on his slots application, has ties to the mob, and illegally contributed money to Rendell and others to grease the slide for his slots application.
Having successfully shilled for their bosses' boy in the last Senatorial primary and election, the non-journalists at the Scran'en Times have recently been busy covering up the recurring problems of local felon Louis DeNaples and the joint Federal/State probes into whether he lied on his slots application, has ties to the mob, and illegally contributed money to Rendell and others to grease the slide for his slots application.
Real newspapers have brought us stories on the federal/state probe. Like the Philly paper which recounts grand jury appearances, and the story on the Gaming Board's refusal to identify the "audit committee" which supposedly investigated the allegations of mob ties and found them (surprise) wanting. Readers of the Morning Call were served up intrepid and original coverage of the issues ranging from the revelation of the dual-probe, to the grand jury witnesses, more on the witnesses, the (Scran'en) Federal Prosecutor's close ties with DeNaples, and the US Attorney's subsequent resignation apparently connected to the DeNaples probe.
Readers of the Scran'en paper can be forgiven for their force-fed ignorance. The boys up there at the pretend newspaper couldn't bring themselves to send a reporter out to cover the big local story. Instead, their readers got a little mention in a bland AP wire report touting that the US Attorney had vouched for DeNaples, and a brief mention of the probes in one article focusing on Billy D'Elia, the admitted mob guy who is facing trial on several charges and who is one of several sources in the DeNaples probe.
But the good folk up there in NEPA can be forgiven for thinking that DeNaples is the victim here because they know that their good and honorable journalists at the Scran'en Times have already looked into all of that and pronounced DeNaples clean as the whistle. This because the Scran'en Times served up one of the most blatant of their patented BJ pieces, this one called Denaples: Mob Links Simply Don't Add Up.
(Image Credit: DeNaples, Allentown Morning Call / August 18, 2007)
Thursday, August 23, 2007
DeNaple's US Attorney Pal to Step Down
More smoke . . . .
The Morning Call is reporting tonight that the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Thomas Marino, is resigning.
It was recently revealed that Marino was listed as a reference for convicted felon and reputed mob connected slots applicant Louis DeNaples. Marino then recused himself from a Federal probe into DeNaples' alleged illegal contributions by to Rendell, and into DeNaples purported ties to organized crime.
What is unclear from the reports is how long it took Marino to recuse himself from the investigation of his long-time friend. (But, it's gotta give you a warm and fuzzy to realize that the chief Federal law enforcement official in the Middle District has a long-standing friendship with a convicted felon who has long been reputedly associated with the largest organized crime family in his District.)
The Morning Call is reporting tonight that the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Thomas Marino, is resigning.
It was recently revealed that Marino was listed as a reference for convicted felon and reputed mob connected slots applicant Louis DeNaples. Marino then recused himself from a Federal probe into DeNaples' alleged illegal contributions by to Rendell, and into DeNaples purported ties to organized crime.
What is unclear from the reports is how long it took Marino to recuse himself from the investigation of his long-time friend. (But, it's gotta give you a warm and fuzzy to realize that the chief Federal law enforcement official in the Middle District has a long-standing friendship with a convicted felon who has long been reputedly associated with the largest organized crime family in his District.)
It was reported last year that, between 2000 and 2005, DeNaples and affiliates contributed over a million bucks to Rendell and Bob Mellow, among others, who were instrumental in naming folk to the gaming board that eventually awarded DeNaples his slots license. Earlier this week, citizens groups filed ethics complaints against one of those board members, whose law firm represented DeNaples and another slots applicant.
Marino was reportedly on the chopping block last year. His resignation could be in preparation for a run at Chris Carney. That'll give the voters in PA's 10th an interesting choice -- friend of convicted felon and "alleged" mob figure versus just another lying politician.
Ethics Complaint Filed Against Casino Lawyer
A couple of citizen-watchdog organizations have filed a formal complaint with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's Disciplinary Counsel, seeking an investigation of former Gaming Control Board Chairman Thomas "Tad" Decker, Stephen A. Cozen, and seven other Cozen O'Connor attorneys. They allege a slew of conflicts of interest and violations of Pennsylvania's Rules of Professional Conduct for licensed attorneys.
Cozen O'Connor represents Louis DeNaples, owner of the Mt. Airy Resort and Casino. DeNaples is the subject of Federal and State probes into potential illegal campaign contributions to Decker's college-friend (Rendell) and Denaples' alleged affiliation with William "Big Billy" D'Elia, the purported head of the Bufalino crime family in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Cozen O'Connor represents Louis DeNaples, owner of the Mt. Airy Resort and Casino. DeNaples is the subject of Federal and State probes into potential illegal campaign contributions to Decker's college-friend (Rendell) and Denaples' alleged affiliation with William "Big Billy" D'Elia, the purported head of the Bufalino crime family in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Decker worked for Cozen O'Connor as a managing partner until Rendell made him chair of the newly formed Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board in 2004. Decker left the Board earlier this month and took over the reigns at Cozen O'Connor as President/CEO. Cozen O'Connor represents SugarHouse Casino, as well as DeNaples. (The law prohibits former board members from representing applicants before the board for two years.)
The ethics complaint lists a variety of asserted conflicts of interest, including:
* During Decker's tenure, Cozen O'Connor represented SugarHouse in several matters before the Supreme Court and possibly administrative proceedings before the PGCB.
* On the same day as Decker stepped down as Chairman of the PGCB, he returned to a raise and promotion at Cozen O'Connor which continues to represent two casinos with business before the PGCB.
* Decker only recused himself from the final vote on SugarHouse, but presided over the deliberations regarding the site selection of all 12 casino licenses, including SugarHouse Casino.
* Decker neglected to recuse himself from voting and deliberating on the four other Philadelphia casino applicants, and hence he was still able to influence the outcome of the vote.
* Decker continued to direct the defense of the Gaming Control Board's licensing decisions before the state Supreme Court, despite outstanding questions regarding his continuing ties to Cozen O'Connor.
* After hiring Tad Decker, Cozen O'Connor became ineligible to represent SugarHouse and Mount Airy Lodge. By continuing to do so, Cozen O'Connor and Tad Decker are in violation of the Supreme Court's Rules of Professional Conduct for licensed attorneys.
The complainants are awaiting word on whether their complaint will be investigated. (Poisonally, I don't think they ought to hold their breaths.)
Monday, August 20, 2007
DeNaples Facing Two Probes
On the way to the Stadium on Sunday, I stopped in the local convenience store to pick up coffee and noted the headline in the intrepid Morning Call, screaming that the slots king cum garbage king turned banker and (oh, okay) "alleged" mob figure, Louis DeNaples, was facing Federal and State probes into whether he illegally gave money to Rendell in order to boost his slots chances.
What a shocker! The guy with the worst plan for a slots casino in the Poconos, in the worst location, who has turned it over to his dentist daughter to run, might have won the license because of the money he doled out?
Our two faithful readers will recognize that story. What will happen next? Well, what normally happens to the wealthy and well connected, especially in the pristine politics of Pennsylvania?
Hey, he's just another family man trying to make good -- give the guy a break.
What a shocker! The guy with the worst plan for a slots casino in the Poconos, in the worst location, who has turned it over to his dentist daughter to run, might have won the license because of the money he doled out?
Our two faithful readers will recognize that story. What will happen next? Well, what normally happens to the wealthy and well connected, especially in the pristine politics of Pennsylvania?
Hey, he's just another family man trying to make good -- give the guy a break.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Money Talks
Donations of over a million dollars to Governor Rendell and Democratic State Senate Leader Bob Mellow, and others, seem to have paid off for Louis Denaples. Despite his fraud conviction for taking advanatage of the Agnes flood disaster and the persistent, documented, allegations of his mob ties, the landfill and bank owner from NEPA, who the slot commission was told was "a crook with ties to organized crime", purchased won his slots license yesterday.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Trust, But Verify? Slots Applicant With Alleged Mob Ties Proposes Oversight Board
From today's Pocono Record:
If Denaples is a pure as he claims, the proposed three-member oversight board is unnecessary. If he is as mobbed-up as his detractors say, it is a grossly inadequate measure.
Either way, it is a desperate and cynical ploy.
A decision on the slots licenses is scheduled for today.
Facing new doubts about the "suitability" of Mount Airy Lodge owner Louis DeNaples, a Mount Airy official Tuesday proposed creating an independent audit committee to oversee gambling operations at the resort if it obtains a casino license.Sooo, Denaples wants to create a new state entity just to keep an eye on him? And that's supposed to make those who question his alleged ties to organized crime sleep better? Is the new state board going to have access to all of his phone calls, and those of his associates? Are they going to be able to install listening devices and cameras everywhere anyone with anything to do with the casino goes?
If Denaples is a pure as he claims, the proposed three-member oversight board is unnecessary. If he is as mobbed-up as his detractors say, it is a grossly inadequate measure.
Either way, it is a desperate and cynical ploy.
A decision on the slots licenses is scheduled for today.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
State Looks at Possible Mob Ties for Slots Applicant
From today's Morning Call: "State gaming board investigators are seeking to interview alleged Scranton mobster William D'Elia to determine whether he has or had ties to slots applicant Louis DeNaples."
The slots board was set to vote tomorrow whether to award a slots license to Denaples. We recently covered the slots issue in this post, which has received a great deal of attention recently, according to our site meter.
The slots board was set to vote tomorrow whether to award a slots license to Denaples. We recently covered the slots issue in this post, which has received a great deal of attention recently, according to our site meter.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Just a Family Business, Man
There are five applicants vying for two slots licenses. In the Poconos there are two applicants and the betting is that one of the available licenses will go to the Poconos.
The contenders there include Louis Denaples, an allegedly mob-tied felon from NEPA, who pled "no contest" to fraudulently cashing in on the 1972 flood that hit the Wilkes-Barre area, from which it has not yet recovered. More recently, in 2001, the Internal Revenue Service filed an affidavit in U.S. District Court outlining contacts and payments Denaples allegedly made to William "Big Billy" D'Elia, whom law enforcement identified as the head of the Buffalino crime family in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
His competitor in the region is the Pocono Manor, recently purchased by a group headed by New Jersey real estate developer Greg Mazel. Mazel has spent millions, bringing in some of the most respected consultants in the gaming, resort and convention business, to help his group put together a full-scall resort, convention, and retail plan for developing the Pocono Manor property, which has continued operating as a world-class resort since Mazel purchased it. (Denaples levelled the Mount Airy property when he bought it, and it now sits as a massive eyesore in the Poconos.)
Even a cursory review of the two plans suggests that the Pocono Manor plan is more well thought out, more likely to bring non-gambling business to the Poconos, and more professionally put together. The Pocono Manor plan calls for the operations to be run by experienced resort, retail, and gambling professionals. Denaples will turn over significant responsibility to his 37-year old daughter, who has a dental degree (to be sure, there are gambling pros on the Denaples team -- but this will be a family-run business).
But, the allegedly linked-in Denaples plan has something that the Pocono Manor plan doesn't -- over a million dollars in donations to Rendell and other top state lawmakers and judges over the last five years. That includes nearly $300,000 to Bob Mellow, Democratic State Senate Leader, and committees he controls.
We aren't going to say that that bought Denaples a seat at the table -- but Mellow appointed Denaples friend and former lawyer, William Conaboy (from Scran'en), to the commission that doles out slots licenses. Conaboy is on the Board of directors of the bank that Denaples controls and is chairman of the board. Conaboy is also on the board of directors of Lackawanna Community College in Scran'en.
Also serving on the Board of Directors for the Lackawanna College along with Denaples' lawyer are Albert Magnotta and Dominic Denaples -- Louis' brother. Magnotta is the chief engineer on Denaples' slots project. Dominic Denaples, who is partners with his brother in some ventures, is chairman of the college’s board. All that is significant because, when Conaboy had to resign from the slots board, Mellow appointed the president of Lackawanna College as his replacement. Mellow's press release forgot to mention the Denaples ties.
Oh, yeah, Denaples is telling everyone there's no conflict because his brother has nothing to do with the Mount Airy project. Here's the photo and caption from a local paper on the "ground-breaking":
With "Denaples Family" juice, is there any doubt who is going to get the license -- a professional, full concept plan designed to bring retail, convention, resort, and gambling business to the Poconos, or the empty lot owned by a felon, with reported mob-ties, who was called at the slots hearing "a crook with ties to organized crime"?
One guess.
The contenders there include Louis Denaples, an allegedly mob-tied felon from NEPA, who pled "no contest" to fraudulently cashing in on the 1972 flood that hit the Wilkes-Barre area, from which it has not yet recovered. More recently, in 2001, the Internal Revenue Service filed an affidavit in U.S. District Court outlining contacts and payments Denaples allegedly made to William "Big Billy" D'Elia, whom law enforcement identified as the head of the Buffalino crime family in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
His competitor in the region is the Pocono Manor, recently purchased by a group headed by New Jersey real estate developer Greg Mazel. Mazel has spent millions, bringing in some of the most respected consultants in the gaming, resort and convention business, to help his group put together a full-scall resort, convention, and retail plan for developing the Pocono Manor property, which has continued operating as a world-class resort since Mazel purchased it. (Denaples levelled the Mount Airy property when he bought it, and it now sits as a massive eyesore in the Poconos.)
Even a cursory review of the two plans suggests that the Pocono Manor plan is more well thought out, more likely to bring non-gambling business to the Poconos, and more professionally put together. The Pocono Manor plan calls for the operations to be run by experienced resort, retail, and gambling professionals. Denaples will turn over significant responsibility to his 37-year old daughter, who has a dental degree (to be sure, there are gambling pros on the Denaples team -- but this will be a family-run business).
But, the allegedly linked-in Denaples plan has something that the Pocono Manor plan doesn't -- over a million dollars in donations to Rendell and other top state lawmakers and judges over the last five years. That includes nearly $300,000 to Bob Mellow, Democratic State Senate Leader, and committees he controls.
We aren't going to say that that bought Denaples a seat at the table -- but Mellow appointed Denaples friend and former lawyer, William Conaboy (from Scran'en), to the commission that doles out slots licenses. Conaboy is on the Board of directors of the bank that Denaples controls and is chairman of the board. Conaboy is also on the board of directors of Lackawanna Community College in Scran'en.
Also serving on the Board of Directors for the Lackawanna College along with Denaples' lawyer are Albert Magnotta and Dominic Denaples -- Louis' brother. Magnotta is the chief engineer on Denaples' slots project. Dominic Denaples, who is partners with his brother in some ventures, is chairman of the college’s board. All that is significant because, when Conaboy had to resign from the slots board, Mellow appointed the president of Lackawanna College as his replacement. Mellow's press release forgot to mention the Denaples ties.
Oh, yeah, Denaples is telling everyone there's no conflict because his brother has nothing to do with the Mount Airy project. Here's the photo and caption from a local paper on the "ground-breaking":
"Former Mount Airy Lodge owner Frank Martens, left, is joined Monday by Louis, Dominick and Lisa DeNaples for a ground breaking ceremony for the proposed Mount Airy Resort and Casino."Yeah, well.
With "Denaples Family" juice, is there any doubt who is going to get the license -- a professional, full concept plan designed to bring retail, convention, resort, and gambling business to the Poconos, or the empty lot owned by a felon, with reported mob-ties, who was called at the slots hearing "a crook with ties to organized crime"?
One guess.
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