Rendell supports changes to tighten slot-machine law

HARRISBURG (AP) — Gov. Ed Rendell said Thursday he supports changes to tighten Pennsylvania’s slot-machine gambling law recommended by the county prosecutor who handled the Louis DeNaples case.

Rendell also announced more changes in his Cabinet and top aides at a Capitol news briefing that touched on a wide array of topics.

Dauphin County District Attorney Ed Marsico advocated the changes in the 2004 slot-machine gambling law last week after announcing he was dropping perjury charges against northeastern Pennsylvania casino owner DeNaples because of problems with the evidence.

DeNaples, who was accused of lying to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board about his ties to organized crime figures to win a $50 million casino license, agreed in exchange to turn over the business to his daughter.

Rendell said he considered most critical a proposal to give the governor exclusive authority to appoint members of the gaming board, subject to Senate confirmation. Currently, leaders of the four legislative caucuses each get to appoint one of the seven board members — and any one of those appointees can single-handedly block action by the board.

The present board structure is “incredibly bad,” he said.

Rendell said he supports Marsico’s proposals “100 percent.” One would give state police or the attorney general the responsibility to handle background investigations of casino license applicants, while another would prohibit convicted felons from working in the state’s gaming industry.