Indiana Gaming Commission settles with Gary casino exec

Rod Ratcliff will sell his shares in Hard Rock Casino Gary and give up his gaming career in Indiana.

US.- The Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) has reached an agreement with Rod Ratcliff which will see him sell his shares in the Hard Rock Casino Gary.

Ratcliff will also give up his gaming career in Indiana due to his alleged ties with a political corruption scheme.

The commission’s executive director, Sara Gonso Tait, said in a statement: “Mr Ratcliff permanently relinquished his gaming license, agreed to have no involvement in any activity under the jurisdiction of the (commission) in the future, and the parties have requested that all administrative and judicial proceedings be dismissed.” 

Indiana casino officials began investigating Ratcliff in January 2020 after allegations emerged that his long-term business partner John Keeler had illegally funnelled money to a former state lawmaker’s unsuccessful 2016 Republican congressional campaign.

The commission found Ratcliff to be involved in the campaign, after discovering an email from one of his employees about a meeting at Indianapolis International Airport with a Virginia political consultant who was sentenced on federal fraud charges last year.

IGC authorities also claim to have found that Ratcliff was in breach of Indiana gaming law through failing to update state records.

Ratcliff has denied the allegations and has not been charged by federal authorities.

The IGC’s board is to review the agreement and plans for the operation of the new Gary casino at a meeting on March 23.