Laughlin Casino Chief Named in Drug Indictment Suspended
The Nevada Gaming Commission has issued an emergency order suspending John Patrick Laughlin as casino manager at the Riverside Hotel-Casino in Laughlin, Nev., after his indictment on drug charges.
The order released here Friday was sought by the commission’s enforcement arm, the state Gaming Control Board, to preserve “public peace, health, safety, morals, good order and general welfare.”
Laughlin, nephew of Don Laughlin who founded and developed the booming Colorado River resort town that bears his name, agreed to imposition of the order that also blocks him from drawing any pay or entering the Riverside.
The Gaming Control Board’s memo in support of the suspension noted that Laughlin was licensed in 1984 and was indicted July 26 by a federal grand jury in Las Vegas on one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and five counts of aiding and abetting the distribution.
The indictments allege that the drug deals occurred in October and November and involved more than 200 grams of cocaine.
Also indicted by the grand jury were Richard Starr, Roy Jernigan, Ruel Whitcher and William Johnston, all casino employees in Laughlin.
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