Casino Reinvestment Development Authority Executive Director Christopher Howard announced he will be leaving the post at a public meeting, setting stage for newly appointed Deputy Director Matt Doherty to get a quick promotion.
Howard was appointed by former Governor Chris Christie in 2016. Doherty was appointed earlier this month by current Governor Phil Murphy.
Doherty, 44, a Democrat, is mayor of Belmar New Jersey, another shore tourist town. His annual salary will increase from $150,000 to $175,000 once he assumes the new position no later than July 1, according to the local Press of Atlantic City.
“It’s been incredible,” Howard, 33, said of his time in the post. “It certainly opened some new doors for me, and I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity you all have given me.”
During Howard’s tenure, the authority downsized 15 percent of its full-time positions after casino tax revenue was diverted from the authority. The authority also established an entertainment-retail district for the Hard Rock Casino and Hotel.
“Chris Howard certainly left his mark on Atlantic City, and his leadership and management will be sorely missed,” CRDA Board Chairman Robert Mulcahy said. “We wish him the best in his future endeavors. At the same time, the board welcomes Matt Doherty to the CRDA with open arms. We are excited to continue bringing a new vision to the city together.”
In some other Atlantic City stories, GVC has launched a second online gambling site in New Jersey with PartyCasino NJ. The site features about 250 slots and table games.
GVC already offers casino games and slots through its PartyPoker site in the state. Officials said those games will remain available to PartyPoker subscribers, but the company will market the new site to online casino players.
Also, Atlantic City’s Democratic Committee has filed a criminal complaint in municipal court against Mayor Frank Gilliam and his former campaign manager, Richard Winstead, according to the Press.
The committee alleges Gilliam, a Democrat, and Winstead committed theft by unlawful taking when Gilliam deposited a $10,000 check meant for the committee into Gilliam’s campaign account.
Gilliam has consistently said the check was deposited into his account by mistake and that he returned the money after it was discovered, the Press reported.
