Louis DeNaples, who was banned by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board in 2012 from doing business with the casino he founded, Mount Airy Casino Resort, wants back in.
Mount Airy has submitted a petition to the gaming board to lift the ban, which bars DeNaples from receiving any remuneration, cash or property distributions from the family trust headed by his daughter Lisa that now runs the Pocono Mountains resort.
The property wants the ban lifted so it can contract for trash hauling, vehicle repair and other services with companies in which DeNaples has an interest. The gaming board has delayed action on the request for 90 days as its enforcement division considers whether a new background check of the developer is required, and how extensive that investigation should be.
DeNaples agreed to the ban, and handing over control of the casino to his family, in consideration of the state dropping perjury charges against him. Those charges, brought by a Dauphin County grand jury in 2008, stemmed from DeNaples’ sworn statement that he never had any ties with organized crime, an assertion he has never recanted.
DeNaples was alleged to have had past business dealings with reputed Scranton mobster William D’Elia, head of the Bufalino crime family. He has consistently denied the allegation.
