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After Long Union Fight, Trump Taj Mahal Ironically Closing on Labor Day Weekend

29Feb

After Long Union Fight, Trump Taj Mahal Ironically Closing on Labor Day Weekend

The Trump Taj Mahal is about to end up being the Atlantic that is fifth City to close its doors once and for all in 3 years. Its closure will signal a final end to the Trump casino brand forever.

Union members protest outside the Trump Taj Mahal, which will close its doors on 4, 2016 september. Icahn Enterprises says it has lost $100 million on the venture.

In the middle of commercial action by members of the Unite Here Local 54 Union, who have been picketing the Taj for weeks, investor Carl Icahn has given up on the casino that is stricken will shutter it permanently on September 4.

That closure date strikes right in the exact middle of Labor Day, which might be a coincidence that is wild or it might be a deliberate and final insult to the union, which Icahn blames for derailing his last-ditch try to save your self the Taj.

Icahn stepped in to rescue the casino in 2014, when its owners that are previous Trump Entertainment, declared bankruptcy. The billionaire corporate raider owned the bulk of its $286 million debt, which he had been ready to convert into equity.

Icahn additionally said he was prepared to invest $100 million in the home, if, and just if, he had been granted concessions that are certain the town. These included the cessation that is temporary of pension and healthcare benefits, which may have become the focus of the squabble between Icahn Enterprises as well as the casino employees’ union.

Out $100 Million

Based on regional 54 leader Bob McDevitt, Icahn has chosen to ‘burn the Trump Taj Mahal down’ in order to ‘punish’ strikers.

‘ For a few million dollars, he may have had labor peace and a content employees,’ McDevitt said in a statement. ‘But alternatively he’d rather slam the entranceway shut on these workers that are long-term to punish them and attempt to break their strike. In the end, he’ll have to live in what he is done to people that are working Atlantic City.’

But according to Tony Rodio, chief executive of Icahn Enterprises’ casino subsidiary Tropicana Entertainment, the employees’ demands have made the continued operation of this casino impossible.

‘Currently, the Taj is losing multimillions a month, and today with this specific hit, we see no road to profitability,’ Rodio stated. He added that Icahn Enterprises had lost around $100 million since it overran the Taj.

Bankrupt Eighth Wonder

The casino was declared to function as ‘eighth wonder associated with world’ by the current Republican nominee that is presidential he opened it in 1990, at a cost of $1 billion. In 1991, it became the very first wonder of the globe to get under since the Colossus of Rhodes ended up being destroyed by an earthquake in 226 BC.

In 2009, Trump offered their Atlantic City casino interests to a combined group of venture capitalists, who formed Trump Entertainment. He was able to negotiate a deal whereby he retained a ten percent stake in the casino in return for the use of his famous brand name while he has had nothing to do with the management of the Taj since.

However, in 2014, incensed by exactly what he saw as Trump Entertainment’s mismanagement associated with Taj and its cousin Atlantic City property the Plaza, he litigated to have his name eliminated from both casinos. He later relented following his old buddy Icahn’s intervention. He additionally relinquished the stake when Trump Entertainment declared for bankruptcy security.

The Labor Day week-end closure of the Trump Taj Mahal will leave only seven casinos operating into the beachside resort, which has been fighting financial issues for years.

FBI Busts Significant Mafia Crime Syndicate, Included Prohibited Gambling Ops

A Mafia that is massive arm engaged in illegal gambling, extortion, gun-running, and fraudulence, among other crimes, was smashed by the FBI on Thursday. Bureau agents arrested 46 mob that is alleged, soldiers, capos, and one reputed boss, all in locations up and down the East Coast.

Joey Merlino, the reputed employer regarding the Philadelphia Mafia, was one of 46 alleged mobsters arrested up and down the East Coast on Thursday, following A fbi that is major and infiltration and bust. (Image: miamiherald.com)

Alleged members of the Genovese, Gambino, Lucchese, and Bonanno criminal activity families, four of this new York Mob’s top five families, were taken into custody. Key among those arrested had been Joseph ‘Skinny Joey’ Merlino, the so-called boss of the Philadelphia Mob. Merlino has beaten murder costs into the past, but served jail time for racketeering.

The list of suspects reads like something out of ‘Casino’ or ‘Goodfellas,’ with nicknames like ‘Tony the Cripple,’ ‘Mustache Pat,’ ‘Muscles,’ ‘Tugboat,’ ‘Nicky the Wig,’ and ‘Big Vinny.’

Diversification regarding the Mob

The sheer scale and scope of the operations shows that the Mafia is still a force become reckoned with in present-day America. The vast criminal empire infiltrated stretched from Massachusetts to Florida, said US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara.

All of the defendants 1xbet казино зеркало are alleged become element of a group referred to as the East Coast LCN Enterprise, an ‘organized criminal enterprise,’ according to the indictment, that has been formed following a pact between the four targeted New York families and also the Philadelphia Mafia.

‘ The Mob remains a scourge with this city and around the country,’ said Bharara. ‘From loan-sharking and gambling that is illegal to credit card and health care fraud, and even firearms trafficking, today’s Mafia is fully diversified.

‘As alleged, threatening to assault, maim, and kill people who block the way of their criminal schemes remains the play that is go-to the Mob’s playbook.’

Bharara was notably the lead prosecutor in the Black Friday busts of major poker sites PokerStars and Full Tilt in 2011. The sites were, at that right time, operating outside of the range of legality in the US.

Undercover Agents

The arrests have a joint investigation between the FBI and New York’s Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF), which spanned several years and involved infiltration by an undercover FBI agent into the ranks of the business.

Investigators have actually amassed 1000s of hours of testimony collected through wiretaps and also the cooperation of a witness. The indictment that is 32-page unsealed on Thursday, details incidents of assaults, threats, and arson.

Illegal gambling had been a source that is big of organization’s revenue, in accordance with the indictment. It owned an establishment in nyc that held poker tournaments and took bets on horses, and also operated sports businesses that are betting in nyc, Florida, New Jersey, and Costa Rica.

All defendants plead not responsible, and the majority had been released on $300,000 bond, while some were retained, with no bail having been set.

Summer Olympics Underway in Rio as City’s Preparation Takes Center Stage

Over 11,000 athletes have been in Rio de Janeiro to compete at the 2016 Summer Olympics, however the greatest victory will come by way of a safe and secure 16-day event. (Image: Jewel Samad/AFP)

The 2016 Summer Olympics officially kickoff this in Rio de Janeiro, and while the athletes, fans, and media are ready for the competitions, it isn’t quite so clear that the city itself is evening.

Opening ceremonies begin at 8 pm local time in Rio.

The Brazilian city is one hour ahead associated with the United States’ coveted Eastern time zone. NBC will postpone its protection by the full hour to air the event at 8 pm ET alternatively of 7 pm, much to your dismay of many fans.

More than 11,000 athletes will compete in 39 sport procedures now through the closing ceremonies on 21 august. But after years of planning and planning, or lack thereof on the part of Rio, plenty of serious issues linger as the globe’s greatest sporting tournament begins.

Uh-Oh de Janeiro

The controversy surrounding the 2016 Summer Olympics will probably have impact that is lasting the games. Brazil is the first South country that is american play host to an Olympics, and its particular severe shortcomings in adequately preparing Rio is expected to push Olympic organizers back to holding the event in more stable regions associated with world.

Africa happens to be the only continent to never host an Olympics. That likely will not alter anytime quickly.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and nations around the world are more concerned with the next 16 days in Rio while Rio’s mishandling will have long-term consequences.

  • Zika: The most problem that is serious Rio is physically the tiniest. Mosquitos infected with Zika, a virus that can cause birth that is severe, continues to be rampant.
  • Water: Sewage-infested waters surrounding the city contain high degrees of bacteria. Open-water swimmers have been told never to submerge their heads while competing.
  • Crime: Rio is definitely an city that is impoverished some locals have nothing to readily lose. And by having a law that is local agency that pales compared to first-world countries, crime is of utmost concern. a 22-year-old moroccan boxer had been arrested just this early morning after trying to rape two maids.
  • Terrorism: The united states of america has over 1,000 spies in Rio monitoring terror threats and everything that is doing can to keep Team USA safe. Military forces will also be on standby.
  • Housing: Several countries have actually deemed the athletes’ town uninhabitable. Team USA basketball countered by renting a cruise that is luxurious capable of accommodating 296 guests due to their stay static in Rio.

Let the Betting Begin

In Nevada and Las vegas, nevada, the sportsbooks have it right more often it wrong than they get. Oddsmakers in las vegas are experts at setting lines on sports they know in and out, but this year’s Olympics presents a series of challenges for the bookies, and potentially a series of preferred chances for gamblers.

For the time that is first the 2000 Olympics, Nevada sportsbooks are offering odds in the games. The Nevada Gaming Commission opted to add specific contests that are amateur February of 2015.

While every book in the Silver State knows football, baseball, baseball, and ice hockey, numerous aren’t quite as familiar with gymnastics, curling, speed walking, javelin, and other disciplines that are olympic.

If you have been a follower that is devout of slalom or handball and think you know more than Vegas, now might end up being the time to place a wager.

For all of those other country outside of Nevada borders, daily dream sports operators are offering a smattering of competitions.

Hillary Clinton Campaigns Through Nevada, Condemning Donald Trump

Hillary Clinton doesn’t believe her GOP opponent Donald Trump is competent sufficient to assume the Oval Office. The Democratic presidential nominee made two stops this week in the all-important swing state of Nevada, where she invested an amazing quantity of her time decrying Trump’s business record and disposition that is general.

Hillary Clinton invested a good amount of time going after Donald Trump while campaigning in Nevada. Latest polls show her offensive attack, combined with a devastating week for her opponent, is working. (Image: Andrew Harnik/AP)

Appearing before a nevada crowd on 4, Clinton called Trump ‘temperamentally unfit’ to be president august. She also attacked his record that is corporate in Atlantic City and nevada.

‘i went to Atlantic City and I met a true number of small businesses, also as workers, plumbers and painters, glass installers, marble installers, at one of his true resorts. They finished the work . . . and they presented their bill, and the Trump people said, ‘No, we’re perhaps not going to pay you,” Clinton stated.

Though Trump happens to be mainly taken out of the Trump Taj Mahal since 2009, whenever Trump Entertainment Resorts filed for bankruptcy, the property, and along side it the Trump casino brand, will power down for good on Labor Day.

Before criticizing Trump, Clinton praised Nevada Senator Harry Reid (D) who introduced the Democratic candidate at the event. Reid, who’s offered in Congress representing Nevada since 1983, is pro-gambling, but has also expressed help for the Restoration of America’s Wire Act (RAWA), the anti-online gambling measure, an unusual stance in the 1st state to legalize Internet poker in the usa.