Station execs relent, testify

An appearance before the Missouri Gaming Commission for the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Station Casinos. Frank Fertitta the Third was asked about former Station lawyer Michael Lazaroff and the huge bonuses paid to the attorney, and Lazaroff’s ties with then-Commission Chairman Robert Wolfson. Fertitta says Lazaroff and Wolfson were long-time friends. But he insists he has no recollection of ever asking Lazaroff to contact Wolfson on any matter. Fertitta says there were several reasons for the half million dollars in bonuses paid to Lazaroff, including getting Lazaroff to focus more time on Casino than on other gambling enterprises with which the lawyer was involved. Fertitta and six other Station executives finally agreed this week to testify before the gaming commission.