Missouri Gaming Commission lawyer replaced

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The top lawyer at the Missouri Gaming Commission has been replaced as the agency considers whom to award the state's final casino license.

General counsel Frank Jung told The Associated Press on Friday that he resigned under pressure. Jung said commission director Roger Stottlemyre told him that he had been told that Jung had to go. But Jung said Stottlemyre did not identify the source of the directive.

There will be no change to the process of awarding the state's 13th casino license, which is underway. Cape Girardeau is one of the cities in the running for the license, with a proposal by Isle of Capri to build a $125 million casino on the riverfront.

"We do not comment on personnel matters, but I can tell you the processes remain the same and public hearings will go on as scheduled," said Missouri Gaming Commission spokeswoman LeAnn McCarthy.

A gaming commission spokeswoman confirmed Jung was replaced by Michael Bradley, a legal counsel for the Department of Public Safety. But she declined to say more.

Jung said he was not removed for any misconduct.

The gaming commission is holding public hearings next week on applications for a casino in Cape Girardeau, Sugar Creek, St. Louis or St. Louis County.

It's a high-stakes competition that also affects existing casinos, some of whom don't want more competition around St. Louis or Kansas City. A casino license is worth big bucks. Missouri casinos reported adjusted gross receipts last fiscal year of $1.7 billion. Two St. Louis-area casinos led the pack, taking in about $288 million each.

The general counsel has an important role in helping the commission determine whether applicants have met all the legal requirements, McCarthy said.

Southeast Missourian staff writer Melissa Miller contributed to this report.