Thursday, June 4, 1998 | 5 a.m.
The state Gaming Control Board voted 3-0 to send the nomination of Michael DiBari, 64, of Las Vegas, to the state Gaming Commission for final action.
DiBari did not attend Thursday's hearing, but will be given a chance to defend himself at the Gaming Commission's hearing.
Thirty-one names are currently listed in the Black Book. The Gaming Commission can either accept or reject nominations.
Board members took the action Thursday after Deputy Attorney General Joe Ward said DiBari was convicted in 1990 in Las Vegas federal court of felony conspiracy to launder money.
The conviction stemmed from an FBI investigation into the theft of coins from the Continental Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas, where DiBari was an assistant slot manager.
The stolen coins were converted to currency at other casinos and the cash was sent to the Gambino crime family in New York City, Ward said.
DiBari stole as much as $1,000 a day from the Continental, five days a week, between August and December 1987, according to investigators.
Ward also told the board that DiBari deserves a listing in the Black Book because of his notorious and unsavory reputation.
The reputation arises from newspaper articles detailing his background and organized crime ties, Ward said.
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