Brief: Becker out, Icahn talks end

Becker had been trying to negotiate terms of a purchase option that would have given him 12 months to come up with financing to buy Arizona Charlie's back from Icahn. Becker built Arizona Charlie's, but Icahn bought the resort out of bankruptcy last year.

Becker has been managing the resort for Icahn since the billionaire's takeover became official last fall. Last month, it appeared the two men had reached an agreement when they asked the Nevada Gaming Control Board to approve a Becker purchase option. But at the last minute, they asked the board to defer approval for a month.

At this month's board meeting, Randy Sayre, chief of investigations at the board, said the purchase option approval request would be withdrawn.

"Those negotiations have broken down," Sayre said this week.

After the negotiations ended, Becker quit as general manager of Arizona Charlie's.

"It is under full control of Icahn and his employees," said Sayre.

Becker's company Becker Gaming still owns various Arizona Charlie's bars around Las Vegas, and Sunset Coin, a slot route business. The Becker family owns the Charleston Heights shopping center, where Arizona Charlie's is located.

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