NYT Investigates Connection Between Trump Casinos' Tax Burden Being Lifted and NJ Gov. Christie
According to an investigation published this week within the Ny Times, by the early 2010s current Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's casinos owed nearly $30 million in back taxes, with the state of recent Jersey having battled in court for 6 years in an try to collect what was owed. However, in December 2011 the state agreed to a settlement that saw it collect just $5 million of what have been owed.
The NYT suggests a connection between the tax burden being reduced and Governor Chris Christie having taken office a year before, noting how after he had "the tone of the litigation shifted" before the settlement was reached. Noting that while legal experts agree tax authorities will sometimes settle to be able to avoid prolonged litigation and possible non-payment, "the steep discount granted to the Trump casinos and the connection between the 2 men raise inevitable questions on special treatment."
Christie was himself a candidate for president, vying against Trump for the Republican nomination. After falling by the wayside of the race, Christie became an outspoken supporter of Trump, including speaking in favor of his candidacy on the Republican National Convention in July.
"The refusal by Mr. Trump... to release his personal income tax returns has become a growing issue within the campaign," the NYT continues, noting how the candidate has "boasted of his success in lowering his tax burden as a businessmen, declaring last year in an interview on Fox News that only 'a stupid person, a very stupid person, is paying numerous taxes.'"
"Public records don't create a transparent picture of ways the agreement was reached," the object pointedly notes before describing intimately Trump's casinos' bankruptcy cases.
Trump's involvement in Atlantic City casinos dates back several decades. The Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino that operated from 1984 to 2014 before closing. In 1985 another casino opened, Trump's Castle, renamed Trump Marina in 1997 and ultimately sold in 2001. Trump additionally took over ownership of the Resorts Casino Hotel in 1987, which was taken over by lenders in 2010.
Meanwhile the long-embattled Trump Taj Mahal that first opened in 1990 announced earlier this month that it's going to be closing in early September following the Labor Day Weekend. That property is currently owned by billionaire Carl Icahn who helped Trump Entertainment Resorts emerge from bankruptcy court protection earlier this year by making the corporate a subsidiary of Icahn Enterprises.
For more at the curious story of Trump's casinos' New Jersey taxes, take a look at the NYT's feature.
Hard Rock International Buys Naming Rights to Miami Dolphins' Stadium
This week the Hard Rock International announced an 18-year deal to rename the Miami Dolphins' stadium Hard Rock Stadium, reports The Miami Herald.
The deal is reportedly worth around $250 million, meaning the estimated $14 million per year total "will be the third-highest annual naming rights payout for any NFL stadium" behind the Dallas Cowboys' handle AT&T and the deal between MetLife and the brand new York Giants and Big apple Jets (who share a stadium).
Dolphins CEO Tom Garfinkel highlighted the appeal of the Hard Rock brand in his comments in regards to the deal.
"We love the brand," said Garfinkel. "IT IS ALL about entertainment. That is what we're about with this stadium, [with] the entire entertainment we are going to have. Hard Rock is globally recognized across the world."
Hard Rock International is owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida which also owns several casinos, including the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida. Garfinkel insists, however, that the naming rights deal shouldn't run afoul of the National Football League's hesitancy over being related to certain types of gambling.
"The deal we did isn't with the casino," said Garfinkel. "The deal is with the entertainment brand Hard Rock, the hotels, the restaurants, the live music brand."
Learn more in regards to the Dolphins' stadium's new naming rights deal on the Miami Herald.
No New Casino in Monterrey, Says Mayor
Following rumors that the Caliente Group, the most important gaming operation in Mexico, had plans to open a casino within the principality of Monterrey, Mayor Adrian de la Garza announced this week that no new casinos can be allowed to open throughout the city limits without his authorization, G3Newswire reports.
"The municipality of Monterrey has given no authorization and has not changed any conditions in terms of casinos," stated de la Garza. "WE WILL BE ABLE TO be alert to the truth that regulations established for purposes that they don't have permission are met, and [gaming establishments] aren't allowed to operate."
Two Caliente casinos were closed throughout the tenure of de la Garza's predecessor, Margarita Arellanes Cervantes.
"The issue of local courts and casinos is without doubt one of the most controversial aspects of the Mexican gaming industry," explains G3Newswire. Many current gaming establishments operate under terms set by a 1947 law, the Raffles and Gambling Act. However new proposals being considered by the Mexican legislature would require those establishments to reapply for brand new licenses under different, stricter terms once their current licenses expire.
Find out more in regards to the current conflict over casinos in Monterrey and the state of gambling in Mexico at G3Newswire.
Lawsuit Targets Larry Flynt Over Lucky Lady
Finally, Reuters reports that a new lawsuit targeting the controversial publisher and casino owner Larry Flynt is looking for to make him rename his Lucky Lady Casino in Gardena, California on account of trademark infringement.
The lawsuit brought Tuesday by the Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. maintains that "'lady luck' have been used for casino services since 1967 and 'lucky lady' for slot machines since 1988, and that Flynt's use of 'lucky lady' is love to confuse gamblers." The corporate objects to Flynt using the term for his casino in addition to to "depictions of a scantily-clad woman on outdoor signage and a unadorned woman on betting chips."
"The lewd and suggestive nature of defendants' use of the mark and the perceived association with defendants' strip clubs and publications will cause irreparable harm to Isle of Capri," stated the corporate in its complaint.
The 73-year-old Flynt isn't any stranger to legal battles, with the Hustler publisher having been fascinated with numerous lawsuits dating back to the 1970s over free speech issues, various obscenity charges, libel complaints, and other issues.
Visit Reuters for more at the Isle of Capri's lawsuit against Flynt,
Photo: The Taj Mahal (adapted), Jake Przespo, CC BY-2.0.
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