Former
Venetian Exec Takes Post at New Mexico Resort
A former Venetian casino
executive who figured prominently in a contest-rigging
scheme at the Las Vegas resort in 2002 has been
named the top executive of the Inn of the Mountain
Gods casino in Mescalero, N.M.
Brian Parrish, who in July was appointed
acting chief operating officer of the casino
and ski resort in south central New Mexico's
Sacramento Mountains, was appointed the permanent
COO on Thursday.
Parrish took the role on a temporary basis
following the resignation of Michael French
in July.
Parrish and French were among four former Venetian
executives who were fired in connection with
a contest-rigging scheme that ultimately led
to the Venetian paying $1 million in fines and
expenses to the Nevada Gaming Commission in
2004.
The four executives rigged drawings or were
aware of the scam to offset losses experienced
by high-rollers at the property, with one boss
hiding preselected winning tickets up their
sleeves when they announced who won a luxury
car and casino chips.
Parrish, vice president of marketing at the
Venetian from 2000 to 2002, was vice president
of hotel operations and regional marketing of
Boyd Gaming Corp., from 1999 to 2000.
The Mescalero Apache Tribe, which owns and
operates the Inn of the Mountain Gods, was aware
of the scheme that got Parrish and French fired
in Las Vegas, but felt their involvement was
offset by their experience in the industry.
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