Microsoft Chairman Permitted to Skip NJ Casino Probe
New Jersey casino regulators exempted Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates and Chief Executive Steve Ballmer from filing disclosure forms because they already have top-secret clearance from the U.S. Defense Department.
Others at Microsoft, such as some members of the board, had to submit the forms as part of the company's application for a nongaming casino service license.
Companies that do a certain amount of business with New Jersey casinos are required to have such licenses, which include background checks of key executives. The current threshold is $150,000.
Microsoft triggered the licensing requirement after getting contracts with Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, said Patrick J. McAuley, a lawyer for Microsoft. The work is for consulting on networks and other matters, he said.
The Casino Control Commission voted 5-0 in Atlantic City to grant the waivers, which were not opposed by the state Division of Gaming Enforcement, commission spokesman Daniel Heneghan said.
He said the Defense Department clearances for Gates and Ballmer followed an extensive review of their personal and financial background.
The commission has taken a similar approach with an IBM Corp. application, Heneghan said.
June 24, 2006
Posted By David Dowell
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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