|
R. Shawn Ellis responds to 'Ellis Las Vegas' questions
By Lori Edmo-Suppah
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — R. Shawn Ellis of Ellis Gaming and Entertainment, L.L.C. provided information to about 20 tribal members Saturday in the Tribal Business Center Dome Room.
Ellis discussed the “Ellis Las Vegas” project and the separate consulting agreement Ellis Gaming has with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. Concerning the “Ellis Las Vegas” project the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and the Muckleshoot Tribe of Washington each invested $5 million and the money is non refundable. Ellis said his company is in discussion with six or seven other tribes that are in the “diligence” phase to invest in the project. “Ellis Las Vegas” is a 9,000 room master-planned mixed use hotel, resort, condominium, casino and entertainment facility. The estimated project cost is $5 billion and is planned for 70.23 acres on the Las Vegas strip according to a brochure he distributed.
In October 2007, Ellis Las Vegas secured an option to purchase land for $300 million. In January 2008, the brochure says the value of the land is $375 million. December 12 of this year is the deadline to purchase the land. The land isn’t owned yet. Marcia Hall asked why Ellis chose to approach tribes, “We’re not wealthy, why not go to millionaires,” in Las Vegas? Ellis said Indian tribes have existing facilities and his company wants them to go to Las Vegas. He said he’s worked for Indian tribes for about nine years and enjoys working with tribes.
Ellis said he’s married to a “tribal woman” and working with tribes is “what I do – is who I am.”
Sherwin Racehorse asked if two tribes invested $10 million how much money has Ellis put forward? Ellis replied that his company will assume the debt on the loan to build the project. “We’re the ones with the risk.” He added if the total amount isn’t raised by December, his company has the ability to “take down the land investment.”
Ellis mentioned that the owner of the land in Las Vegas has had it for six years and the land is located south of Mandalay Bay. A question was asked how the Tribes would be represented on the board of directors? Ellis said there are two boards — a voting board and an advisory board. The Tribes would have a seat on the advisory board but no one has been named yet. Another question of Ellis was how many casinos does his company have in operation? His response was they don’t own casinos, they do management contracts and have had two with tribes in California. Barbara Neaman said she comes from a district that knows nothing about Ellis, along with a majority of the Native people. She asked him to be truthful and honest. Ellis said he agreed to answer any questions in public. He said he grew up in Alaska in a trailer house. “I didn’t start out with a silver spoon.”
Charlie Plentywounds asked on a good day, how much would such a casino make in Vegas? Ellis estimated $800,000 a day or $23 million a year. Consulting contract Ellis said his company is on a month to month contract with the Tribes and, “If you look at the numbers, we’ve delivered about a million.”
Hall questioned why the Tribes should pay $55,000 a month to Ellis for consulting when previously a manager and an assistant manager was paid around $4,000? She also asked if his company recommended tightening the machines? Ellis said $55,000 is what they get paid and they don’t make money in consulting. He added they do what they can to prove themselves then work in a long-term commitment. “We clean the place up,” he said. Ellis said they didn’t’ tighten the machines, they recommended moving the Red, White and Blue machines. He said they legally can’t tighten machines. Consulting means they make recommendations for improvements, do weekly reports.
Racehorse asked how many consulting hours a month Ellis does and what is the breakdown for the $55,000. The company didn’t have the numbers but said they could be obtained.
He also wanted to know if the land is purchased regarding “Ellis Las Vegas” how much would the Tribes own and the status of the deed.
Ellis said the deed would be in trust in Las Vegas. The Tribes would have a play into a percentage of the ultimate equity investment – about one or two percent. The land gives ownership and security.
A question was asked if tribal members could view the contract on the Ellis Las Vegas project.
Ellis said it can be viewed but he objected to printed copies being made available.
Council member Richard John Kutch Sr. said Ellis and Jeanette Wolfley, tribal attorney can make available to tribal members to view the contract. Ellis also said he’s traveling to the Middle East to meet with officials from the United Arab Emirates to possibly invest in “Ellis Las Vegas.”
Hall asked the council members when a casino manager, human resource manager and financial officer will be hired.
FHBC Chairman Alonzo Coby said they’ve screened applicants and five people will be interviewed for the manager on May 6 and 7.
More Local News, page1
More Local News, page 2
|
|
