Sinatra approved by Nevada casino board

Press, 13 February 1981, Page 7

Sinatra approved by Nevada casino board

NZPA Las Vegas Frank Sinatra won unanimous approval from a hearing board yesterday for limited licence to become a gambling casino executive again, after a little help from his friends, including Gregory Peck and Kirk Douglas. The Nevada Gaming Control Board recommended that the state Gaming Commission approve at its meeting next week Sinatra’s request for a licence as a "key Employee” at Caesar’s Palace Hotel. The limitation suggested by the board was a sixmonth licence to see whether Sinatra can keep his temper under control and avoid problems that led to ■the revocation of his licence in 1963. “Maybe he has changed a little bit,” said one board member, “but I think before I could put the stamp of approval on Mr Sinatra I would have to condition it on a limited period for monitoring.” After the ruling, Sinatra rose and shook hands with each member of the panel, then hurried from the hearing room saying: “I feel very happy.” In announcing the decision, the board’s chairman, Richard Bunker, said there had been some questionable activity on Sinatra’s part. “I am not suggesting he

has been a saint by any means, but in the areas we have investigated, we have not found any substantive reason he should not be granted a licence. In the gaming business, we are not going to have a group of choirboys.” Sinatra, who is 65, once owned the Cai-Neva Lodge at Lake Tahoe and held an interest in the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas. But his gaming licence was revoked in 1963 because he was host to the reputed Chicago mob chief, Sam “Momo” Giancana, at the Cai-Neva. Aladena “Jimmy the Weasel” Fratianno, ah underworld hit man turned government informant, has charged that Sinatra still has mob ties. Sinatra is now said to be interested in getting back into the business. Sinatra’s representatives are reported to have approached the Dunes Hotel in Las Vegas about a possible purchase of the controlling interest there. And it is reported that he may be interested in buying a share in Caesar’s Palace.

Sinatra, sometimes sounding like a character from his films, denied at the hearing ever having any business connections with the Mafia and said: "I’ve never in my life received any illegal money.” "I have had to work very

hard for my money,” Sinatra told the three-man board in rejecting a series of allegations put to him about business ties with Mafia leaders. He denied all such ties but said he had met Sam Giancana, who has since been murdered, on several social occasions and had once played golf with him. Sinatra showed a burst of annoyance When asked about "Jimmy the Weasel” Fratianno’s allegations that Sinatra had ties with Mafia members. Sinatra told the board: “I wish we did not have to discuss Fratianno. He is a confessed murderer and perjurer and I don’t wish to have him associated with my life.” In answer to another question he referred to Fratianno as “Fink the Weasel.” Asked about a report that he took $2 million in a suitcase to Joe "Lucky” Luciano in Havana, Sinatra told the chairman: “If you can find me a suitcase that would carry $2 million I would give $2 million. “I met Luciano and shook hands with him in Havana and that was the only time I ever saw him,” Sinatra said. Peter Pitchess, sheriff of the 7800 police force in Los Angeles County said Sinatra was a very good friend, adding: “If Mr Sinatra is a member of the Mafia, I am ‘The Godfather’.”