Michael J. Malik, Sr.

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Michael J. Malik, Sr. (born February 1954) is a self-proclaimed developer and entrepreneur from Detroit, Michigan. Since the early 1990s he and his partner Marian Ilitch have been catalysts for legalization of gambling and development of gambling halls from coast to coast and in Hawaii. Among them: casinos for Michigan's Little River Band of Ottawa Indians in Manistee and the Bay Mills Indian Community; failed attempt to legalize gambling in the State of Hawaii; Gateway Casino Resorts, LLC partnered with the Shinnecock Indians in the Hamptons, NY; and Barwest, LLC partners with the Big Lagoon Rancheria Indians and the Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians to develop dual casinos in Barstow, California.

In 1996, after several other failed attempts to legalize commercial gaming in Detroit, Malik and another partner, Thomas Celani, bankrolled significant funds for the campaign urging passage of Michigan Proposal E, the statewide ballot measure that approved commercial gaming in Michigan and permitted development of three commercial casinos in Detroit. In subsequent partnership documents and Operating Agreements([1]) signed six months after the election and filed with the SEC, their new Las Vegas-based development partner, Circus Circus Enterprises agreed to reimburse Malik, Celani and other local individuals in consideration for the costs they advanced to qualify and win voter approval of Proposal E.

While Malik has not been licensable himself as a gambling casino proprietor, he works behind the scenes syndicating various casino development opportunities as well as managing predevelopment and development phases of new casino projects and then restructues or sells his interests to other parties like Ilitch (proprietor of Detroit's MotorCity Casino); Station Casinos, Inc.; Harrah's and others just prior to licensing.

Malik pursues other casino gambling interests outside of Michigan, from coast to coast.

[edit] Civic & political

The Federal Elections Commission (FEC) reports that Malik contributed nearly $267,000 to federal candidates and PACs between 2003 and 2006.

Federal lobbying reports required to be filed with the Clerk of the U.S. Senate [2] and compiled by The Center for Public Integrity indicate between $1.0-$1.3 million in lobbying expenses were directed to Wheat Government Relations (former Congressman Alan Wheat the primary D.C. lobbyist representing Malik, Marian Ilitch and their various partners from 2002-2005.)[3]. From 2003-2004, Malik also had an agreement with Barbara W. Bonfiglio to pay her firm Williams & Jensen at least $220,000 for representation. According to The Center for Public Integrity, Bonfiglio was concurrently Treasurer for several dozen GOP "leadership" PACs, now under investigation, that were controlled by congressional leaders including Senator Rick Santorum, Congressmen Tom DeLay, Jerry Lewis and Richard Pombo and others.[4]

National media controversy erupted following the 2005 MLB All-Star Game when it was reported Ilitch's son and Malik hosted back to back $5,000 per person fundraisers in the Ilitch owner's suite to benefit Rep. Pombo. Pombo is the powerful chairman of the House Resources Committee and oversees Indian Gaming and other related matters in the House. Days following the fundraiser, Pombo's Resources Committee was scheduled to take up a critical matter on an Malik's Indian casino projects.[5]

[edit] Links

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