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Pocono News Section
Many Thankful Charges Were Dropped Against Denaples
Many Thankful Charges Were Dropped Against Denaples - Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at 3:46PM EST
PARADISE TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY - When prosecutors dropped perjury charges against Louis Denaples, he agreed to give ownership of the resort to a trust run by his daughter Lisa Denaples. Many people who work in the Poconos hope that is a sign that plans to expand Mount Airy Casino Resort can now move forward.
Every day hundreds, and sometimes, thousands of cars pass Big Daddy's restaurant on the way to the Mount Airy Casino Resort. So Steve Ertle, who owns the restaurant, was thrilled to hear about the dropped charges. He said, "I'm totally psyched. I think they're gonna get back to their full potential as a resort."
Ertle has been waiting for Mount Airy to complete expansion projects that were put on hold after Denaples was arrested. He says the more people visit Mount Airy, the more likely it is his restaurant will be full. "If they succeed, the Poconos succeed," he remarked.
Expansion projects on hold include a new parking garage, more slot machines, and hundreds of hotel rooms. The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau has also looked forward to the upgrades. PMVB Vice President Mathilda Sheptak said, "The upgrade of all of the Pocono Mountains and the upgrade of our facilities is important to us so that we can remain competitive in the marketplace."
There likely won't be any changes for Mount Airy in the near future. The Gaming Control Board's Trustee is still running the place. Lisa Denaples will not be allowed to take over until the gaming board approves the arrangement. They tell us that could take weeks or even months.
"I hope that they can resolve this as quickly as possible," said Sheptak. Ertle said, "I think it's time for the state to step back and let business owners run their business."
Mount Airy will continue to operate while the Gaming Board figures out what to do next.
Mount Airy's spokesperson said resort managers have not yet talked about going ahead with expansion plans. They are waiting to see what the Gaming Control Board decides. | | |
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